Metallothionein 2A Expression in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Cancer Cells Promotes Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression.

ABSTRACT: Esophageal cancer has the sixth highest mortality rate worldwide. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are involved in the progression of various cancers. Previously, we demonstrated an association between high expression of the CAF marker, fibroblast activation protein, and poor prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We also established CAF-like cells by indirect co-culture of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells with ESCC cell lines and found metallothionein 2A (MT2A) to be highly expressed in them. Here, to explore the function of MT2A in CAFs, we silenced MT2A in the CAF-like cells and ESCC cell lines using small interfering RNA. MT2A knockdown in the CAF-like cells suppressed expression and secretion of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2); reco

SUBMITTER: Shimizu M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8464741 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature