STUDIES ON THE CHARACTERISTIC CHANGES IN HUMAN FIBROBLASTS INDUCED BY THE PROLIFERATION OF GASTRIC CANCER CELLS IN VITRO

Abstract

In order to study interaction between human fibroblasts and gastric cancer cells in vitro, biological behavior of fibroblasts (cell line WI-38) was investigated under the co-culture with the established gastic cancer cells (cell line KATO-III derived from a signet-ring cell carcinoma and cell line MKN-28 derived from a well differentiated adenocarcinoma).
1) Fibroblasts were co-cultured with two kinds of the cancer cells. The growth of WI-38 cells seemed to be inhibited by the proliferation of KATO-III cells. However, when co-cultured with MKN-28 cells, WI-38 cells proliferated vigorously. A mass of MKN-28 cells was surrounded by WI-38 cells, the scattered cancer cells resembling paving stones. PAS-positive material was observed in the interface between WI-38 and MKN-28 cells.
2) Effect of conditioned medium and cell debris of cancer cells on DNA- and glycosaminoglycans (GAG)-synthesis of fibroblasts were investigated by the incorporation of ³H-thymidine and ³H-glucosamine. DNA-synthesis of fibroblasts was stimulated by the conditioned medium of KATO-III, but GAG-synthesis was unaffected in any cases. GAG-synthesis of fibroblasts was enhanced by cell debris of KATO-III cells, and by cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis, it was found that dermatan sulfate-synthesis was much more.