title: Mesenchymal stem cells contribute to tumor cell proliferation by direct cell-cell contact interactions.
abstract: Bone marrow (BM)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been implicated in tumor progression, making MSCs important targets for anti-cancer strategies. In this study, we show that MSCs promote tumor growth in vivo in a lymphoma xenograft model. We show that MSCs provide direct cell-cell contact interactions and, to a lesser extend, soluble factors that promote tumor cell proliferation and survival in vitro. PTK787/ZK 222584 reduces tumor growth-promoting effects of MSCs both in vitro and in vivo. Our results address the importance of targeting the MSCs for future anti-cancer strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Berber D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Roorda
authors.forename: Arja ter
authors.initials: At
authors.lastname: Elst
authors.forename: Tiny G J Meeuwsen-de
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Boer
authors.forename: Willem A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Kamps
authors.forename: Eveline S J M
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: de Bont
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000502:physiology; D002450:Cell Communication; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic