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Altered proteoglycan gene expression and the tumor stroma
1Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107.
Experientia
|May 15, 1993
Summary
Tumor stroma alterations, particularly in chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans like decorin, are linked to colon cancer progression. Neoplastic cells may control stroma generation, influencing tumor behavior through feedback loops.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Tumor stroma, associated with epithelial neoplasms, undergoes significant proteoglycan changes.
- These alterations in tumor stroma may promote tumor progression, invasion, and growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of altered chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan expression in tumor development and progression.
- To explore the hypothesis that neoplastic cells control tumor stroma generation via a feedback loop.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of proteoglycan content in human colon cancer stroma.
- In vitro reproduction of stromal changes using tumor metabolites or co-cultures.
- Examination of decorin gene expression and DNA methylation levels.
Main Results:
- Colon cancer stroma shows enrichment in chondroitin sulfate, produced by stromal cells.
- Decorin levels and mRNA are elevated in colon carcinoma stroma, correlating with gene hypomethylation.
- Tumor metabolites and co-cultures can induce these stromal changes in vitro.
Conclusions:
- Altered proteoglycan expression, specifically decorin, is a key feature of colon cancer stroma.
- Neoplastic cells likely influence tumor stroma composition, impacting tumor behavior.
- Further research into decorin gene regulation is warranted.