Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 33 in total

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  1. Zohdi RM, Zakaria ZA, Yusof N, Mustapha NM, Abdullah MN
    PMID: 21504052 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.31828
    Malaysian sea cucumber was incorporated into hydrogel formulation by using electron beam irradiation technique and was introduced as novel cross-linked Gamat Hydrogel dressing. This study investigated whether Gamat Hydrogel enhanced repair of deep partial skin thickness burn wound in rats and its possible mechanism. Wounds were treated with either Gamat Hydrogel, control hydrogel, OpSite® film dressing or left untreated. Skin samples were taken at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days post burn for histological and molecular evaluations. Gamat Hydrogel markedly enhanced wound contraction and improved histological reorganization of the regenerating tissue. Furthermore, the dressing modulated the inflammatory responses, stimulated the activation and proliferation of fibroblasts, and enhanced rapid production of collagen fiber network with a consequently shorter healing time. The level of proinflammatory cytokines; IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-6, were significantly reduced in Gamat Hydrogel treated wounds compared with other groups as assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In summary, our results showed that Gamat Hydrogel promoted burn wound repair via a complex mechanism involving stimulation of tissue regeneration and regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The resultant wound healing effects were attributed to the synergistic effect of the hydrogel matrix and incorporated sea cucumber.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fibroblasts/pathology
  2. Musa M, Ali A
    Future Oncol, 2020 Oct;16(29):2329-2344.
    PMID: 32687721 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2020-0384
    Accumulation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment is associated with poor prognosis and recurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite their prominent roles in colorectal carcinogenesis, there is a lack of robust and specific markers to classify the heterogeneous and highly complex CAF populations. This has resulted in confusing and misleading definitions of CAFs in cancer niche. Advancements in molecular biology approaches have open doors to reliable CAF marker detection methods in various solid tumors. These discoveries would contribute to more efficient screening, monitoring and targeted therapy of CRC thus potentially will reduce cancer morbidity and mortality rates. This review highlights current scenarios, dilemma, translational potentials of CAF biomarker and future therapeutic applications involving CAF marker identification in CRC.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/pathology
  3. Alabsi AM, Ali R, Ali AM, Al-Dubai SA, Harun H, Abu Kasim NH, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2012;13(10):5131-6.
    PMID: 23244123
    Cancer is one of the major health problems worldwide and its current treatments have a number of undesired adverse side effects. Natural compounds may reduce these. Currently, a few plant products are being used to treat cancer. In this study, goniothalamin, a natural occurring styryl-lactone extracted from Goniothalamus macrophyllus, was investigated for cytotoxic properties against cervical cancer (HeLa), breast carcinoma (MCF-7) and colon cancer (HT29) cells as well as normal mouse fibroblast (3T3) using MTT assay. Fluorescence microscopy showed that GTN is able to induce apoptosis in HeLa cells in a time dependent manner. Flow cytometry further revealed HeLa cells treated with GTN to be arrested in the S phase. Phosphatidyl serine properties present during apoptosis enable early detection of the apoptosis in the cells. Using annexin V/PI double staining it could be shown that GTN induces early apoptosis on HeLa cells after 24, 48 and 72 h. It could be concluded that goniothalamin showing a promising cytotoxicity effect against several cancer cell lines including cervical cancer cells (HeLa) with apoptosis as the mode of cell death induced on HeLa cells by Goniothalamin was.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fibroblasts/pathology
  4. Jayash SN, Hashim NM, Misran M, Baharuddin NA
    J Biomed Mater Res A, 2017 02;105(2):398-407.
    PMID: 27684563 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.35919
    The osteoprotegerin (OPG) system plays a critical role in bone remodelling by regulating osteoclast formation and activity. The study aimed to determine the physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of a newly formulated OPG-chitosan gel. The OPG-chitosan gel was formulated using human OPG protein and water-soluble chitosan. The physicochemical properties were determined using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Gel morphology was determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and then it was subjected to a protein release assay and biodegradability test. An in vitro cytotoxicity test on normal human periodontal ligament (NHPL) fibroblasts and normal human (NH) osteoblasts was carried out using the AlamarBlue assay. In vivo evaluation in a rabbit model involved creating critical-sized defects in calvarial bone, filling with the OPG-chitosan gel and sacrificing at 12 weeks. In vitro results demonstrated that the 25 kDa OPG-chitosan gel had the highest rate of protein release and achieved 90% degradation in 28 days. At 12 weeks, the defects filled with 25 kDa OPG-chitosan gel showed significant (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Fibroblasts/pathology
  5. Lan YW, Chen CM, Chong KY
    Methods Mol Biol, 2021;2269:83-92.
    PMID: 33687673 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1225-5_6
    A co-culture model of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and fibroblasts is an efficient and rapid method to evaluate the anti-fibrotic effects of MSCs-based cell therapy. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 plays a key role in promotion of fibroblast activation and differentiation which can induce collagen deposition, increase ECM production in lung tissue, eventually resulted in pulmonary fibrosis. Here, we use this co-culture system and examine the ECM production in activated fibroblasts by western blot and quantitative real-time analysis to understand the therapeutic effects of MSCs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fibroblasts/pathology
  6. Subramaniam KS, Tham ST, Mohamed Z, Woo YL, Mat Adenan NA, Chung I
    PLoS One, 2013;8(7):e68923.
    PMID: 23922669 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068923
    Endometrial cancer is the most commonly diagnosed gynecologic malignancy worldwide; yet the tumor microenvironment, especially the fibroblast cells surrounding the cancer cells, is poorly understood. We established four primary cultures of fibroblasts from human endometrial cancer tissues (cancer-associated fibroblasts, CAFs) using antibody-conjugated magnetic bead isolation. These relatively homogenous fibroblast cultures expressed fibroblast markers (CD90, vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin) and hormonal (estrogen and progesterone) receptors. Conditioned media collected from CAFs induced a dose-dependent proliferation of both primary cultures and cell lines of endometrial cancer in vitro (175%) when compared to non-treated cells, in contrast to those from normal endometrial fibroblast cell line (51%) (P<0.0001). These effects were not observed in fibroblast culture derived from benign endometrial hyperplasia tissues, indicating the specificity of CAFs in affecting endometrial cancer cell proliferation. To determine the mechanism underlying the differential fibroblast effects, we compared the activation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK/Erk pathways in endometrial cancer cells following treatment with normal fibroblasts- and CAFs-conditioned media. Western blot analysis showed that the expression of both phosphorylated forms of Akt and Erk were significantly down-regulated in normal fibroblasts-treated cells, but were up-regulated/maintained in CAFs-treated cells. Treatment with specific inhibitors LY294002 and U0126 reversed the CAFs-mediated cell proliferation (P<0.0001), suggesting for a role of these pathways in modulating endometrial cancer cell proliferation. Rapamycin, which targets a downstream molecule in PI3K pathway (mTOR), also suppressed CAFs-induced cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis. Cytokine profiling analysis revealed that CAFs secrete higher levels of macrophage chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, RANTES and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) than normal fibroblasts. Our data suggests that in contrast to normal fibroblasts, CAFs may exhibit a pro-tumorigenic effect in the progression of endometrial cancer, and PI3K/Akt and MAPK/Erk signaling may represent critical regulators in how endometrial cancer cells respond to their microenvironment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fibroblasts/pathology*
  7. Norhayati MM, Mazlyzam AL, Asmah R, Fuzina H, Aminuddin BS, Ruszymah BH, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2004 May;59 Suppl B:184-5.
    PMID: 15468879
    Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) evaluation were carried out in the in vivo skin construct using fibrin as biomaterial. To investigate its progressive remodeling, nude mice were grafted and the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) components were studied at four and eight weeks post-grafting. It was discovered that by 4 weeks of remodeling the skin construct acquired its native structure.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fibroblasts/pathology
  8. Al-Tayar BA, Ahmad A, Yusoff ME, Abdullah SF, Mohamad NK, Md Hashim SN, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2020 Apr 01;21(4):1005-1009.
    PMID: 32334462 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2020.21.4.1005
    BACKGROUND: Betel quid chewing is more common among the older generation in rural areas of Malaysia. Oral cancer in Asia has been associated with the habit of chewing betel quid and areca nut.

    OBJECTIVE:   This study aims to investigate the cytotoxic effects of betel quid and areca nut extracts on the fibroblast (L929), mouth-ordinary-epithelium 1 (MOE1) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (HSC-2) cell lines.

    METHODS: L929, MOE1 and HSC-2 cells were treated with 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 g/ml of betel quid and areca nut extracts for 24, 48 and 72 h. MTT assay was performed to assess the cell viability.

    RESULTS: Both extracts, regardless of concentration, significantly reduced the cell viability of L929 compared with the control (P<0.05). Cell viability of MOE1 was significantly enhanced by all betel quid concentrations compared with the control (P<0.05). By contrast, 0.4 g/ml of areca nut extract significantly reduced the cell viability of MOE1 at 48 and 72 h of incubation. Cell viability of HSC-2 was significantly lowered by all areca nut extracts, but 0.4 g/ml of betel quid significantly increased the cell viability of HSC-2 (P<0.05).

    CONCLUSION: Areca nut extract is cytotoxic to L929 and HSC-2, whereas the lower concentrations of areca nut extract significantly increased the cell viability of MOE1 compared to the higher concentration and control group. Although betel quid extract is cytotoxic to L929, the same effect is not observed in MOE1 and HSC-2 cell lines. Further investigations are needed to clarify the mechanism of action.
    .

    Matched MeSH terms: Fibroblasts/pathology
  9. Kumcu E, Unverdi H, Kaymaz E, Oral O, Turkbey D, Hucmenoglu S
    Malays J Pathol, 2018 Aug;40(2):137-142.
    PMID: 30173230
    INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is still a serious health problem in 21st century and diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this malignant disease are subject to many research. While cancer research has been focused on tumour cells primarily, recent studies showed that tumour stroma contribute to carcinogenesis as well as tumour cells. Especially fibroblasts adjacent to epithelial tumour cells are not ordinary fibroblasts and play the critical role. Studies showed that these cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have different genetic profile and protein expression. One of the differently expressed molecules recently found is podoplanin. Podoplanin, utilised as a lymphatic endothelial marker, is found to be expressed in CAFs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the stromal expression of podoplanin in invasive breast carcinoma and clinicopathological parameters.

    MATERIALS & METHODS: Podoplanin expression was evaluated immunohistochemically in 153 breast cancers. Tumours with ≥ 10% distinct cytoplasmic podoplanin staining in CAFs were considered as positive.

    RESULTS: In 65.3% of analysed tumours, podoplanin expression was found positive in CAFs. According to our results, podoplanin positive CAFs correlated significantly with tumour size (p= 0.012), tumour grade (p= 0.032) and cerbB2 score (p= 0.032).

    DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that podoplanin expression by CAFs could predict poor patient outcome in breast carcinoma.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/pathology
  10. Law JX, Chowdhury SR, Saim AB, Idrus RBH
    J Tissue Viability, 2017 Aug;26(3):208-215.
    PMID: 28615133 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtv.2017.05.003
    Advances in tissue engineering led to the development of various tissue-engineered skin substitutes (TESS) for the treatment of skin injuries. The majority of the autologous TESS required lengthy and costly cell expansion process to fabricate. In this study, we determine the possibility of using a low density of human skin cells suspended in platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-enriched medium to promote the healing of full-thickness skin wounds. To achieve this, full-thickness wounds of size 1.767 cm2 were created at the dorsum part of nude mice and treated with keratinocytes (2 × 104 cells/cm2) and fibroblasts (3 × 104 cells/cm2) suspended in 10% PRP-enriched medium. Wound examination was conducted weekly and the animals were euthanized after 2 weeks. Gross examination showed that re-epithelialization was fastest in the PRP+cells group at both day 7 and 14, followed by the PRP group and NT group receiving no treatment. Only the PRP+cells group achieved complete wound closure by 2 weeks. Epidermal layer was presence in the central region of the wound of the PRP+cells and PRP groups but absence in the NT group. Comparison between the PRP+cells and PRP groups showed that the PRP+cells-treated wound was more mature as indicated by the presence of thinner epidermis with single cell layer thick basal keratinocytes and less cellular dermis. In summary, the combination of low cell density and diluted PRP creates a synergistic effect which expedites the healing of full-thickness wounds. This combination has the potential to be developed as a rapid wound therapy via the direct application of freshly harvested skin cells in diluted PRP.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fibroblasts/pathology
  11. Subramaniam R, Mani MP, Jaganathan SK
    Cardiovasc Eng Technol, 2018 09;9(3):503-513.
    PMID: 29700782 DOI: 10.1007/s13239-018-0357-y
    In this study, a small vascular graft based on polyurethane (PU) blended with chitosan (Ch) nanoparticles was fabricated using electrospinning technique. Initially, the chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized using ionic gelation method. UV-Vis spectrophotometer confirmed the presence of synthesized Ch nanoparticles by exhibiting absorption peak at 288 nm and the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed the existence of the chitosan. Further, the synthesized Ch nanoparticles showed size diameter in the range of 134 ± 58 nm as measured using ImageJ. In the electrospun PU/chitosan graft, the fiber diameter and pore size diameter was found to be reduced compared to the pure PU owing to incorporation of chitosan into PU matrix. The FTIR spectrum revealed the presence of chitosan in the prepared nanocomposite membrane by the formation of the hydrogen bond and peak shift of CH and NH stretching. Moreover, the contact angle measurements revealed that the prepared graft showed decreased contact angle indicating hydrophilic nature compared to the pristine PU. The cytocompatibility studies revealed the non-toxic behavior of the fabricated graft. Hence, the prepared graft exhibiting significant physiochemical and non-toxic properties may be a plausible candidate for cardiovascular graft applications.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fibroblasts/pathology
  12. Siar CH, Nakano K, Han PP, Nagatsuka H, Ng KH, Kawakami T
    J Oral Pathol Med, 2010 Aug 1;39(7):552-8.
    PMID: 20337864 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2009.00871.x
    In mammals, the Notch gene family encodes four receptors (Notch1-4), and all of them are important for cell fate decisions. Notch signaling pathway plays an essential role in tooth development. The ameloblastoma, a benign odontogenic epithelial neoplasm, histologically recapitulates the enamel organ at bell stage. Notch has been detected in the plexiform and follicular ameloblastoma. Its activity in the desmoplastic ameloblastoma is unknown.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fibroblasts/pathology
  13. Ong LC, Tan YF, Tan BS, Chung FF, Cheong SK, Leong CO
    Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 2017 08 15;329:347-357.
    PMID: 28673683 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2017.06.024
    Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are carbon-based nanomaterials that possess immense industrial potential. Despite accumulating evidence that exposure to SWCNTs might be toxic to humans, our understanding of the mechanisms for cellular toxicity of SWCNTs remain limited. Here, we demonstrated that acute exposure of short (1-3μm) and regular-length (5-30μm) pristine, carboxylated or hydroxylated SWCNTs inhibited cell proliferation in human somatic and human stem cells in a cell type-dependent manner. The toxicity of regular-length pristine SWCNT was most evidenced in NP69>CYT00086>MCF-10A>MRC-5>HaCaT > HEK-293T>HepG2. In contrast, the short pristine SWCNTs were relatively less toxic in most of the cells being tested, except for NP69 which is more sensitive to short pristine SWCNTs as compared to regular-length pristine SWCNTs. Interestingly, carboxylation and hydroxylation of regular-length SWCNTs, but not the short SWCNTs, significantly reduced the cytotoxicity. Exposure of SWCNTs also induced caspase 3 and 9 activities, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and significant apoptosis and necrosis in MRC-5 embryonic lung fibroblasts. In contrast, SWCNTs inhibited the proliferation of HaCaT human keratinocytes without inducing cell death. Further analyses by gene expression profiling and Connectivity Map analysis showed that SWCNTs induced a gene expression signature characteristic of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibition in MRC-5 cells, suggesting that SWCNTs may inhibit the HSP90 signaling pathway. Indeed, exposure of MRC-5 cells to SWCNTs results in a dose-dependent decrease in HSP90 client proteins (AKT, CDK4 and BCL2) and a concomitant increase in HSP70 expression. In addition, SWCNTs also significantly inhibited HSP90-dependent protein refolding. Finally, we showed that ectopic expression of HSP90, but not HSP40 or HSP70, completely abrogated the cytotoxic effects of SWCNTs, suggesting that SWCNT-induced cellular toxicity is HSP90 dependent. In summary, our findings suggest that the toxic effects of SWCNTs are mediated through inhibition of HSP90 in human lung fibroblasts and keratinocytes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fibroblasts/pathology
  14. Majid ZA, Siar CH, Ling KC
    Med J Malaysia, 1986 Jun;41(2):179-82.
    PMID: 3821617
    An unusual case of fibrous epulis in a newborn is presented. The clinical appearance, histological features and method of treatment are described. A short review of the literature is also included.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fibroblasts/pathology
  15. Foroozandeh P, Aziz AA, Mahmoudi M
    ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2019 Oct 30;11(43):39672-39687.
    PMID: 31633323 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b15533
    Clinical translation of nanotechnologies has limited success, at least in part, due to the existence of several overlooked factors on the nature of the nanosystem (e.g., physicochemical properties of nanoparticles), nanobio interfaces (e.g., protein corona composition), and the cellular characteristics (e.g., cell type). In the past decade, several ignored factors including personalized and disease-specific protein corona (a layer of formed biomolecules at the surface of nanoparticles upon their entrance into a biological fluid), incubating temperature, local temperature gradient, cell shape, and cell sex has been introduced. Here, it was hypothesized and validated cell age as another overlooked factor in the field of nanomedicine. To test our hypothesis, cellular toxicity and uptake profiles of our model nanoparticles (i.e., PEGylated quantum dots, QDs) were probed in young and senescent cells (i.e., IMR90 fibroblast cells from human fetal lung and CCD841CoN epithelial cells from human fetal colon) and the outcomes revealed substantial dependency of cell-nanoparticles interactions to the cell age. For example, it was observed that the PEGylated QDs were acutely toxic to senescent IMR90 and CCD841CoN cells, leading to lysosomal membrane permeabilization which caused cell necrosis; in contrast, the young cells were resilient to the exact same amount of QDs and the same incubation time. It was also found that the formation of protein corona could delay the QDs' toxicity on senescent cells. These findings suggest that the cellular aging process have a capacity to cause deteriorative effects on their organelles and normal functions. The outcomes of this study suggest the proof-of-concept that cell age may have critical role in biosystem responses to nanoparticle technologies. Therefore, the effect of cell age should be carefully considered on the nanobio interactions and the information about cellular age (e.g., passage number and age of the cell donor) should be included in the nanomedicine papers to facilitate clinical translation of nanotechnologies and to help scientists to better design and produce safe and efficient diagnostic/therapeutic age-specific nanoparticles.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fibroblasts/pathology
  16. Zakaria MA, Rajab NF, Chua EW, Selvarajah GT, Masre SF
    Cancer Invest, 2020 Sep;38(8-9):445-462.
    PMID: 32713210 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2020.1802474
    Tissues become more rigid during tumorigenesis and have been identified as a driving factor for tumor growth. Here, we highlight the concept of tissue rigidity, contributing factors that increase tissue rigidity, and mechanisms that promote tumor growth initiated by increased tissue rigidity. Various factors lead to increased tissue rigidity, promoting tumor growth by activating focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Rho-associated kinase (ROCK). Consequently, result in recruitment of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor protection from immunosurveillance. We also discussed the rationale for targeting tumor tissue rigidity and its potential for cancer treatment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/pathology
  17. Roselan MA, Ashari SE, Faujan NH, Mohd Faudzi SM, Mohamad R
    Molecules, 2020 Jun 04;25(11).
    PMID: 32512808 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25112616
    Tyrosinase inhibitors have become increasingly important targets for hyperpigmentation disease treatment. Kojic monooleate (KMO), synthesized from the esterification of kojic acid and oleic acid, has shown a better depigmenting effect than kojic acid. In this study, the process parameters include the speed of high shear, the time of high shear and the speed of the stirrer in the production of nanoemulsion containing KMO was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), as well as evaluated in terms of its physicochemical properties, safety and efficacy. The optimized condition for the formulation of KMO nanoemulsion was 8.04 min (time of high shear), 4905.42 rpm (speed of high shear), and 271.77 rpm (speed of stirrer), which resulted in a droplet size of 103.97 nm. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the fitness of the quadratic polynomial fit the experimental data with large F-values (148.79) and small p-values (p < 0.0001) and an insignificant lack of fit. The optimized nanoemulsion containing KMO with a pH value of 5.75, showed a high conductivity value (3.98 mS/cm), which indicated that the nanoemulsion containing KMO was identified as an oil-in-water type of nanoemulsion. The nanoemulsion remains stable (no phase separation) under a centrifugation test and displays accelerated stability during storage at 4, 25 and 45 °C over 90 days. The cytotoxicity assay showed that the optimized nanoemulsion was less toxic, with a 50% inhibition of cell viability (IC50) > 500 μg/mL, and that it can inhibit 67.12% of tyrosinase activity. This study reveals that KMO is a promising candidate for the development of a safe cosmetic agent to prevent hyperpigmentation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fibroblasts/pathology
  18. Musa M
    Adv Med Sci, 2020 Mar;65(1):163-169.
    PMID: 31972467 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2019.12.001
    Besides malignant cells, the tumour microenvironment consists of various stromal cells such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and myofibroblasts. Accumulation of heterogeneous populations of stromal cells in solid tumours is associated with lower survival rates and cancer recurrence in patients. Certain limitations presented by conventional experimental designs and techniques in cancer research have led to poor understanding of the fundamental basis of cancer niche. Recent developments in single-cell techniques allow more in-depth studies of the tumour microenvironment. Analyses at the single-cell level enables the detection of rare cell types, characterization of intra-tumour cellular heterogeneity and analysis of the lineage output of malignant cells. This subsequently, provides valuable insights on better diagnostic methods and treatment avenues for cancer. This review explores the recent advancements and applications of single-cell technologies in cancer research pertaining to the study of stromal fibroblasts in the microenvironment of solid tumours.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/pathology*
  19. Ahmad Zawawi SS, Mohd Azram NAS, Sulong S, Zakaria AD, Lee YY, Che Jalil NA, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2023 Sep 01;24(9):3099-3107.
    PMID: 37774061 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.9.3099
    BACKGROUND: Accumulation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor stroma is linked to poor prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC). CAF-cancer cell interplay, facilitated by secretomes including transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), supports fibroblast activation, drives colorectal carcinogenesis, and contributes to CRC aggressive phenotypes. Although widely used, traditional CAF biomarkers are found to have heterogeneous and non-specific expression. Amine oxidase copper containing 3 (AOC3) and leucine-rich repeat-containing 17 (LRRC17) have been reported to be emerging markers of myofibroblasts.

    AIM: Our objective was to investigate the potential of AOC3 and LRRC17 as biomarkers for fibroblast activation thus predicting their roles in CRC progression.

    METHODS: Immunofluorescence (IF) staining of AOC3 and LRRC17 was performed on myofibroblast line (CCD-112CoN), primary fibroblasts from colorectal tumor (CAFs), and adjacent normal tissue (normal fibroblasts-NFs). SW620 (epithelial CRC cell line) was used as a control.  Conventional CAF biomarker (alpha-smooth muscle actin - α-SMA) was included in the IF analysis. Fluorescence intensity was compared between groups using ImageJ software. Proliferation and contractility of treated cells were assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and collagen gel contraction assays, respectively. Fibroblast contraction under TGF-β1 treatment was compared to those treated with complete medium (addition of 10% serum) and serum free (SF) medium.

    RESULTS: Positive AOC3, LRRC17, and α-SMA expression were observed in colonic fibroblasts, more prominent in CAFs, whereas negative staining was found in SW620. Significant downregulation of AOC3, and upregulations in LRRC17 and α-SMA expression was found in TGF-β1-treated fibroblasts compared to SF medium treatment (p-value<0.05). All fibroblasts exhibited higher proliferation in complete medium and under treatment with conditioned medium from SW620 than SF medium. Significant contraction of NFs was recorded in complete medium and TGF-β1 (p-value<0.01).

    CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate AOC3 and LRRC17 as the potential markers of CAF activation which promote CRC progression.

    Matched MeSH terms: Fibroblasts/pathology
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