PAI-1 derived from cancer-associated fibroblasts in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma promotes the invasion of cancer cells and the migration of macrophages.

ABSTRACT: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) contribute to the progression of various cancers. Previously, we reported the significance of CAFs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); however, the functions of CAFs in the ESCC microenvironment remain unknown. To investigate CAFs' function, we established an indirect coculture assay between human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and ESCC cells. Cocultured MSCs expressed more fibroblast activation protein, one of the markers of CAFs, compared with monocultured MSCs. Therefore, we defined cocultured MSCs as CAF-like cells. To identify molecules associated with the ESCC progression in CAFs, we conducted a cDNA microarray analysis on monocultured MSCs and CAF-like cells to compare their gene expression profiles. We found that SER

SUBMITTER: Sakamoto H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7892342 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature