Breast Cancer Stem Cells Upregulate IRF6 in Stromal Fibroblasts to Induce Stromagenesis.

ABSTRACT: The microenvironment of a cancer stem cell (CSC) niche is often found in coexistence with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Here, we show the first in-depth analysis of the interaction between primary triple-negative breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) with fibroblasts. Using 2D co-culture models with specific seeding ratios, we identified stromal fibroblast aggregation at the BCSC cluster periphery, and, on closer observation, the aggregated fibroblasts was found to encircle BCSC clusters in nematic organization. In addition, collagen type I and fibronectin accumulation were also found at the BCSC-stromal periphery. MACE-Seq analysis of BCSC-encapsulating fibroblasts displayed the transformation of stromal fibroblasts to CAFs and the upregulation of fibrosis regulating genes of which the

SUBMITTER: Muralidharan H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11393902 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature