Cancer-associated fibroblasts induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells through paracrine TGF-β signalling.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) activated by tumour cells are the predominant type of stromal cells in breast cancer tissue. The reciprocal effect of CAFs on breast cancer cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully characterised.

Methods

Stromal fibroblasts were isolated from invasive breast cancer tissues and the conditioned medium of cultured CAFs (CAF-CM) was collected to culture the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, T47D and MDA-MB-231. Neutralising antibody and small-molecule inhibitor were used to block the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signalling derived from CAF-CM, which effect on breast cancer cells.

Results

The stromal fibroblasts isolated from breast cancer tissues showed CAF characteristics with high expression levels

SUBMITTER: Yu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3915130 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature