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BMC Cancer

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Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Cell fusion between gastric epithelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells results in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and malignant transformation

Authors: Xianghui He, Baosong Li, Yang Shao, Na Zhao, Yiling Hsu, Zhixiang Zhang, Liwei Zhu

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2015

Abstract

Background

The discovery of cancer stem cells and tumor heterogeneity prompted the exploration of additional mechanisms aside from genetic mutations for carcinogenesis and cancer progression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of cell fusion between mesenchymal stem cells and the gastric epithelial cells in tumorigenesis.

Methods

Cell fusion between cord blood mesenchymal stem cells and human gastric epithelial cells was performed in vitro. Cell scratch and transwell assays were performed to determine migration and invasion abilities of the hybrids. The expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins and genes were analyzed by immunocytochemistry and real time quantitative PCR. Tumorigenesis of the hybrids was evaluated through in vivo inoculation in nude mice.

Results

Hybrids expressed the phenotypes of both donor cells. Aneuploidy was observed in 84.1% of cells. The hybrids showed increased proliferation, migration and invasion abilities compared with the parental cells. In addition, the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin in the hybrids was significantly higher than that of the epithelial cells, and the mRNA expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related genes, Twist and Slug, in the hybrids was also increased compared with that of the parental epithelial cells. Furthermore, the hybrids formed masses of epithelial origin with glandular structures in BALB/c nude mice.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that cell fusion between gastric epithelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells may result in epithelial to mesenchymal transition and malignant transformation.

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Title: Cell fusion between gastric epithelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells results in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and malignant transformation
Authors: Xianghui He
Baosong Li
Yang Shao
Na Zhao
Yiling Hsu
Zhixiang Zhang
Liwei Zhu
Publication date: 01-12-2015
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-015-1027-1

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Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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