Elucidation of the role of tumor endothelial cell-tumor cell clusters in metastasis of renal cancer

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18549
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56030:Urology-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Kikuchi Hiroshi 北海道大学, 医学研究院, 客員研究員 (20828305)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 腎癌転移 / 腫瘍血管内皮細胞 / クラスター / アノイキス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In co-culture of tumor cells with tumor endothelial cells derived from highly metastatic tumors, it was observed that tumor endothelial cells formed clusters surrounding the tumor cells. In addition, when the survival rate and the rate of apoptosis were compared, the survival rate of tumor cells tended to increase and the rate of apoptosis decreased in co-culture with tumor endothelial cells derived from highly metastatic tumors. These findings suggested that tumor endothelial cells derived from highly metastatic tumors may contribute to tumor cell survival in suspension by cluster formation.
Furthermore, immunostaining of human renal cancer tissues with the endothelial marker (CD34) revealed several cases of intravascular cell clusters containing CD34-positive cells.

Free Research Field

泌尿器腫瘍、腫瘍血管

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の結果から，浮遊状態において腫瘍血管内皮細胞と腫瘍細胞がクラスターを形成することで腫瘍細胞の生存率が高まることが証明された．浮遊状態は人体の中では血液の中での状況と想定される．このクラスター形成が血行性転移の重要な役割を果たしているのではないかと想定される．クラスターが形成されるメカニズムを解明することで，クラスター形成を防ぐことができれば，転移の制御につながるのではないかと考えられる．