AREG Upregulation in Cancer Cells via Direct Interaction with Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promotes Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression Through EGFR-Erk/p38 MAPK Signaling.

ABSTRACT: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a key component of the tumor microenvironment and significantly contribute to the progression of various cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Our previous study established a direct co-culture system of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (progenitors of CAFs) and ESCC cell lines, which facilitates the generation of CAF-like cells and enhances malignancy in ESCC cells. In this study, we further elucidated the mechanism by which CAFs promote ESCC progression using cDNA microarray analysis of monocultured ESCC cells and those co-cultured with CAFs. We observed an increase in the expression and secretion of amphiregulin (AREG) and the expression and phosphorylation of its receptor EGFR in co-cultured ESCC cells. Mo

SUBMITTER: Nakanishi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11506648 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature