Basic Research
Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 7, 2008; 14(13): 2023-2028
Published online Apr 7, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.2023
Pancreatic stellate cells promote proliferation and invasiveness of human pancreatic cancer cells via galectin-3
Hai-Biao Jiang, Ming Xu, Xing-Peng Wang
Hai-Biao Jiang, Ming Xu, Xing-Peng Wang, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai First People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, 85 Wujin Road, Shanghai 200080, China
Author contributions: Jiang HB designed the study, performed most of the research work and wrote the paper; Xu M performed part of the research work; Wang XP instructed Jiang HB and Xu M on their research work and reviewed the paper.
Correspondence to: Xing-Peng Wang, PhD, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai First People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, 85 Wujin Road, Shanghai 200080, China. xpwen@public7.sta.net.cn
Telephone: +86-21-63240090-3142
Fax: +86-21-63240825
Received: October 22, 2007
Revised: January 15, 2008
Published online: April 7, 2008
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the role of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and galectin-3 (GAL-3) in the proliferation and infiltration of pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990.

METHODS: Human pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 and PSCs were cultured in vitro. Supernatant fluid of cultured PSCs and SW1990 cells was collected. Expression of GAL-3 in SW1990 cells and PSCs was detected by ELISA, RT-PCR and Western blotting. Proliferation of cultured PSCs and SW1990 cells was measured by 3-(4, 5-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry. Infiltration of SW1990 cells was detected by a cell infiltration kit.

RESULTS: SW1990 cells expressed GAL-3 and this was up-regulated by the supernatant fluid of cultured PSCs. PSCs did not express GAL-3. SW1990 cells stimulated proliferation of PSCs via GAL-3. GAL-3 antibody inhibited SW1990 cell proliferation, while the supernatant fluid of PSCs stimulated proliferation of SW1990 cells through interaction with GAL-3 protein. The supernatant fluid of PSCs enhanced the invasiveness of SW1990 cells through interaction with GAL-3.

CONCLUSION: GAL-3 and PSCs were involved in the proliferation and infiltration process of pancreatic cancer cells.

Keywords: Cell proliferation; Galectin-3; Infiltration; Desmoplastic reaction; Pancreatic cancer cell; Pancreatic stellate cell