Abstract 4373: Color-coded real-time imaging of the interaction of mesenchymal stem cells and cancer cells

Abstract

Abstract Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been reported to promote tumor growth and metastasis. Through paracrine effects, cytokines such as TGFβ or CCL5 produced by MSC play a role in modulating cancer cell behavior. However, the interaction between MSCs and cancer cells is not only via cytokines but involves physical contact as well. In this study, using GFP mesenchymal stem cells and RFP murine mammary cancer cells, the interaction between these cells types was imaged in vivo and vitro. Murine MSCs were isolated from GFP transgenic mice and 4T1 murine mammary cancer cells expressed RFP. Cells were co-cultured in vitro or co-implanted into the mouse mammary fat pad. Cell movement and distribution were recorded with fluorescence video microscopy. 4T1 cells had an epithelial shape and moved toward each other to form clusters when cultured alone. In contrast, 4T1 cells showed a stretched, spindle like morphology when interacting with MSCs. In vivo imaging with the Olympus OV-100 or IV-100, clearly visualized GFP-MSC and RFP-4T1 cells within tumors. When co-injected with MSCs, as few as 5 4T1-RFP cells could form a tumor but could not form tumors at the low cell number without MSCs. The results demonstrate that MSCs have a powerful effect on breast cancer cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4373. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4373