Murine Embryonic Stem (ES) cells inhibit human pancreatic carcinoma cell growth in vitro

Abstract

Introduction. Embryonic stem cells demonstrate self-renewal and pluripotent properties. There is evidence that ES cells may inhibit somatic cell growth as well. Pancreatic carcinoma cells demonstrate relative resistance to various chemotherapeutic agents in vitro. We examine the potential inhibitory effect of ES cells on pancreatic carcinoma cells in vitro. Methods. Murine A129 enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP) positive ES cells were co-cultured ±0.4μm filter with human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines (BxPC3 and PANC-1). The cells were counted when the control dish reached 90% confluence by day 3 of coculture. Ligand for murine IL-8 receptor (mKC), INF-γ and TNF-α were measured on day 0, 1, and 3. Results. There was a 2.6- and 7.3-fold growth reduction for BxPC3 (1.3 × 10 6 versus 3.5 × 10 6 cells/ml) and PANC-1 (2.39 × 10 5 versus 2 × 10 6 cells/ml), respectively, P < 0.04 nonparametric one-way ANOVA (Fig. 1). There was no significant difference in mKC and INF-γ and TNF-α were not detected. Conclusion. Murine ES cells induce growth suppression in human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. Growth inhibition does not appear to be mediated by murine cytokines mKC, INF-γ, and TNF-α. The unique properties of ES cells may provide a novel approach for therapeutic options for the management of pancreatic cancer.