Influence of mesenchymal stem cells conditioned with wound fluid on tumor cells

Introduction Different cell types are responsible for natural wound healing after surgical tumor resection. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) come into contact with wound fluid (WF) during wound healing. In addition, interactions with remaining tumor cells may occur. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of WF-conditioned MSC on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Methods WF was derived from patients undergoing neck dissection as part of head and neck tumor surgery. MSCs were first cultured for 48 h in WF and subsequently the supernatant was collected. Tumor cells were cultivated in this conditioned medium. These tumor cells were analyzed with respect to their viability, chemoresistance (to Cisplatin), as well as proliferation and migration ability. In addition, tumor cell morphology was assessed and markers for epithelial-mesenchymal (EMT) transition were measured by qPCR.

Results The conditioned medium induced increased cell proliferation and migration of tumor cells compared to the control group. Additionally, an increased resistance to Cisplatin could be detected. Light microscopy revealed a fibroblast-like morphology of the tumor cells and qPCR revealed evidence of EMT.

Conclusions MSC conditioned with WF promote tumor cells in vitro, mainly by increasing migration and proliferation ability as well as their chemoresistance. Translated to an in vivo situation, this preliminary data suggests that MSCs which are exposed to wound fluid may induce more aggressive behavior in tumor cells.

Publication History

Article published online:
24 May 2022