Impact of Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Microenvironment on Colon Cancer Progression

Background: Malignant tumor cells can directly affect the biological behavior of the cells through the interaction with the surrounding microenvironment. This study aimed to investigate the effects of adipose-derived stem cell microenvironment (ADSCM) on the growth of colon cancer (CC) and the expression of malignant surface markers and abnormal pathways in the cells. Method: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were extracted using collagenase digestion, followed by culture and identification. A three-dimensional stem cell microenvironment was established and co-cultured with CC cell lines. Furthermore, clonogenic assays were conducted to assess cell proliferation. Annexin V staining was employed to detect cell apoptosis and an invasion assay was performed to study cell migration capabilities. Moreover, immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were employed to assess the expression levels of surface markers in CC cells, and WB analysis was used to determine the levels of signaling pathway proteins. A CC model was established by subcutaneous injection of ADSCs and CC cells into Balb/c mice. Additionally, western blot (WB) was performed to investigate changes in inflammatory factors within tumor tissues. Result: After introducing CC cell lines into the ADSCM, a significant decrease in cell proliferation and invasion capability was observed, accompanied by a substantial increase in apoptosis rate. Furthermore, CC cells grown within the microenvironment exhibited reduced malignant phenotypic features, and the expression levels of common cancer signaling pathways were also diminished. Additionally, there was a decrease in the content of inflammatory factors within CC tissues. Conclusion: ADSCM can inhibit the growth of colon cancer, reduce the malignant markers and abnormal pathways in cancer cells and hinder the progression of CC.