Acidic melanoma microenvironment selects for a senescence-like but also migratory-active subpopulation driving metastatic disease.

ABSTRACT: One of the main characteristics of solid tumors, such as melanoma, is an acidic tumor microenvironment. Due to dysregulation of the cancer cell metabolism and an increased production of acidic metabolites, the tumor acidifies its microenvironment. We hypothesize that this has a strong impact on tumor heterogeneity and the formation of phenotypic subpopulations. Cell culture experiments are usually carried out at a physiological pH of 7.4. Here, we show that long-time acidosis results in the formation of a senescent subpopulation in melanoma cells. Interestingly, after reintroduction to physiological pH, these cells lose their senescence-associated attributes. We isolated this subpopulation using β-galactosidase-dependent C₁₂FDG staining and FACS. Live cell imaging, microscopy, a

SUBMITTER: Chiheb C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12537852 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature