Work

Demonstration of a positive feedback loop of paracrine growth stimulation in a new co-culture model of breast cancer

Year: 1993

Type: article

Abstract: A serum-free co-culture model of breast cancer was established using primary cultures of human fibroblasts and the breast cancer lines MCF-7, T47D and MDA-MB-231. The model was used to test the hypothesis that there is a positive feedback loop of paracrine growth stimulation between stromal fibroblasts and cancer cells. Cancer cell growth was dependent on co-culture with fibroblasts and fibroblast growth, in turn, was dependent on co-culture with cancer cells. Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) was mitogenic for fibroblasts in mono-culture but not mitogenic for cancer cells. However, addition of PDGF to a co-culture of cancer cells with fibroblasts resulted in increased growth of the cancer cells, as predicted by the paracrine loop hypothesis. This model demonstrates one way in which benign stromal cells may be actively recruited into the malignant process.

Source: The Breast

DOI: 10.1016/0960-9776(93)90056-l

Authors: D.J.A. Orr, M.C. Ryan, K. Horgan

Institutions: Cardiff University, University of Wales

Language: English

Topic: Cancer Cells and Metastasis

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,200