Dataset Information

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric cancer progression by secreting thrombospondin-2.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs), especially mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), may be involved in the development of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric cancer (GC) in mice, but the specific mechanism remains unclear, and evidence from human studies is lacking.

Materials and methods

To verify the role of BM-MSCs in H pylori-associated GC, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labelled BM-MSCs were transplanted into the subserosal layers of the stomach in a mouse model of chronic H pylori infection. Three months post-transplantation, the mice were sacrificed, and the gastric tissues were subjected to histopathological and immunofluorescence analyses. In addition, we performed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunofluorescence analyses of gastric tissue from a female patient with H pylori infection and a history of acute myeloid leukaemia who received a BM transplant from a male donor.

Results

In mice with chronic H pylori infection, GFP-labelled BM-MSCs migrated from the serous layer to the mucosal layer and promoted GC progression. The BM-MSCs differentiated into pan-cytokeratin-positive epithelial cells and α-smooth muscle actin-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) by secreting the protein thrombospondin-2. FISH analysis of gastric tissue from the female patient revealed Y-chromosome-positive cells. Immunofluorescence analyses further confirmed that Y-chromosome-positive cells showed positive BM-MSCs marker. These results suggested that allogeneic BMDCs, including BM-MSCs, can migrate to the stomach under chronic H pylori infection.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings imply that BM-MSCs participate in the development of chronic H pylori-associated GC by differentiating into both gastric epithelial cells and CAFs.

SUBMITTER: Shi H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8488559 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Afadin is a cytoplasmic protein of the adherens junctions, which regulates the formation and stabilization of both the adherens and the tight junctions. Aberrant expression of Afadin has been shown in cancer and its loss has been associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is characterized by the change from an epithelial to a mesenchymal phenotype, with modifications on the expression of adhesion molecules and acquisition of a migratory and invasive cell behavior. While it is known that Helicobacter pylori disrupts the tight and the adherens junctions and induces EMT, the effect of the bacteria on Afadin is still unknown. The aim of this study was to disclose the effect of H. pylori on Afadin and its impact in the induction of an EMT phenotype in gastric cells. Using two different cell lines, we observed that H. pylori infection decreased Afadin protein levels, independently of CagA, T4SS, and VacA virulence factors. H. pylori infection of cell lines recapitulated several EMT features, displacing and downregulating multiple proteins from cell-cell junctions, and increasing the expression of ZEB1, Vimentin, Slug, N-cadherin, and Snail. Silencing of Afadin by RNAi promoted delocalization of junctional proteins from the cell-cell contacts, increased paracellular permeability, and decreased transepithelial electrical resistance, all compatible with impaired junctional integrity. Afadin silencing also led to increased expression of the EMT marker Snail, and to the formation of actin stress fibers, together with increased cell motility and invasion. Finally, and in line with our in vitro data, the gastric mucosa of individuals infected with H. pylori showed decrease/loss of Afadin membrane staining at cell-cell contacts significantly more frequently than uninfected individuals. In conclusion, Afadin is downregulated by H. pylori infection in vitro and in vivo, and its downregulation leads to the emergence of EMT and to the acquisition of an aggressive phenotype in gastric cells, which can contribute to gastric carcinogenesis.