Elucidation of the mechanism of immunosuppression by stromal cells and mesenchymal stem cells in ovarian cancer

2013 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23592464
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Obstetrics and gynecology
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: IWATA Takashi 慶應義塾大学, 医学部, 講師 (30296652)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): FUJITA Tomonobu 慶應義塾大学, 医学部, 助教 (20199334)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): KAWAKAMI Yutaka 慶應義塾大学, 医学部, 教授 (50161287)
• Project Period (FY): 2011 – 2013
• Keywords: 間葉系幹細胞 / 免疫抑制 / がん微小環境

Research Abstract

In this study, we analyzed the immunological role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in the cancer microenvironment. In xenografted mouse model, stromal cells expressing markers similar to bone marrow MSC were infiltrated in tumor tissues, and these stromal cells were highly expressed immunosuppressive molecules such as IL10, COX2, MCP-1 VEGF, compared to cells not expressing MSC marker. Further, MSC were also present in the regional lymph nodes and these MSC were expressed lower level of MHC class II than those exsisted in nonregional lymph nodes. We also detected stromal cells expressing markers similar to bone marrow MSC in human tumor tissue. These results indicated that immunosuppressive microenvironment was induced by MSC in tumor and regional lymph nodes of cancer patients, and the MSC may be a therapeutic target for restoration of immunosuppressive environment.