Bone Marrow-Derived Myofibroblasts Contribute to the Mesenchymal Stem Cell Niche and Promote Tumor Growth

  • Michael Quante
  • , Shui Ping Tu
  • , Hiroyuki Tomita
  • , Tamas Gonda
  • , Sophie S.W. Wang
  • , Shigeo Takashi
  • , Gwang Ho Baik
  • , Wataru Shibata
  • , Bethany DiPrete
  • , Kelly S. Betz
  • , Richard Friedman
  • , Andrea Varro
  • , Benjamin Tycko
  • , Timothy C. Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

924 Scopus citations

Abstract

Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that express α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) contribute to cancer progression, but their precise origin and role are unclear. Using mouse models of inflammation-induced gastric cancer, we show that at least 20% of CAFs originate from bone marrow (BM) and derive from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). αSMA+ myofibroblasts (MFs) are niche cells normally present in BM and increase markedly during cancer progression. MSC-derived CAFs that are recruited to the dysplastic stomach express IL-6, Wnt5α and BMP4, show DNA hypomethylation, and promote tumor growth. Moreover, CAFs are generated from MSCs and are recruited to the tumor in a TGF-β- and SDF-1α-dependent manner. Therefore, carcinogenesis involves expansion and relocation of BM-niche cells to the tumor to create a niche to sustain cancer progression.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)257-272
Number of pages16
JournalCancer Cell
Volume19
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Feb 2011
Externally publishedYes

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