Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Mediated Effects of Tumor Support or Suppression

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 16; no. 12; pp. 30015 - 30033
• Main Authors: Rhee, Ki-Jong, Lee, Jong In, Eom, Young Woo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 16.12.2015; MDPI
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Carcinogenesis - pathology; Cell Proliferation; delivery vehicles; Drug delivery systems; homing; Humans; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; mesenchymal stem cells; Mesenchymal Stem Cells - metabolism; Metastasis; Neoplasms - pathology; Neoplasms - therapy; Review; Stem cells; tumor microenvironment; Tumor Suppressor Proteins - metabolism; Tumors; homing; tumor microenvironment; delivery vehicles; mesenchymal stem cells
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms161226215

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can exhibit a marked tropism towards site of tumors. Many studies have reported that tumor progression and metastasis increase by MSCs. In contrast, other studies have shown that MSCs suppress growth of tumors. MSCs contribute to tumor growth promotion by several mechanisms: (1) transition to tumor-associated fibroblasts; (2) suppression of immune response; (3) promotion of angiogenesis; (4) stimulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT); (5) contribution to the tumor microenvironment; (6) inhibition of tumor cell apoptosis; and (7) promotion of tumor metastasis. In contrast to the tumor-promoting properties, MSCs inhibit tumor growth by increasing inflammatory infiltration, inhibiting angiogenesis, suppressing Wnt signaling and AKT signaling, and inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In this review, we will discuss potential mechanisms by which MSC mediates tumor support or suppression and then the possible tumor-specific therapeutic strategies using MSCs as delivery vehicles, based on their homing potential to tumors.