2010 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Role of Hepatic Stellate Cells on the Maintenance of Cancer Stem Cell in l

Research Project

Project/Area Number	21790685
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Research Field	Gastroenterology
Research Institution	Keio University
Principal Investigator	ADACHI Masayuki Keio University, 医学部, 助教 (70338028)
Project Period (FY)	2009 – 2010
Keywords	癌幹細胞 / 腫瘍ニッチ / 肝星細胞 / Wntシグナル
Research Abstract	Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play crucial roles in cancer development and progression. The function and survival of stem cells appears to be regulated by local microenvironment or niche. However, the possible contribution of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to tumor-stroma interactions is totally unknown. Therefore, our aim is to investigate precise role of HSCs on interactions with tumor cells, especially with CSCs. In Huh7 cells, CD133-positive SP cells displayed CSC-like property. The SP subpopulation of Huh7 is increased after the co-culture with HSCs, suggesting that HSCs maintains self-renewal of CSCs. An increased number of CSCs was attenuated by the treatment with Wnt antagonist, suggesting that HSCs support the stemness of CSCs via Wnt signaling.