Adenovirus-mediated delivery of shRNA against bFGF mRNA suppresses growth of cultured human primary prostatic stromal cells

Basic fibroblast growth factor signalling regulates cancer stem cells in lung cancer A549 cells

OBJECTIVES

The basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)/fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signal transductional pathway plays an important role not only in tumour, but also in tumour stem cells. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the effects of bFGF signalling on cancer stem cells of lung cancer.

METHODS

We blocked bFGF/FGFR signalling in cisplatin (DDP) selected A549 by knocking down bFGF via RNA interference, and subsequently, the stem cell marker of OCT-4 was determined, and cell proliferation, clone formation, invasiveness, apoptosis and drug resistance abilities of DDP selected A549 cells were investigated.

KEY FINDINGS

The expressions of bFGF and OCT-4 in DDP selected A549 were higher than that of A549 cells. The findings suggested blocking of bFGF/FGFR signalling resulted in downregulation of bFGF, reduction in cell proliferation, clone formation, invasion and drug resistance abilities, and increase in cell apoptosis. Furthermore, our results also revealed OCT-4 was reduced after bFGF signalling blocking.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, our study suggested that bFGF/FGFR signalling plays an important role in maintaining lung cancer stem cell characteristics and regulating expression of cancer stem cell marker of OCT-4.

Role of endogenous basic fibroblast growth factor in stem cells isolated from human exfoliated deciduous teeth

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the role of endogenous basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in stem cells isolated from human exfoliated deciduous teeth.

METHODS

Cells were isolated from dental pulp tissues of human exfoliated deciduous teeth. The expression of stem cell markers was determined using conventional semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and flow cytometry. The multipotential differentiation ability was also examined. The lentiviral shRNA or fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor was employed to inhibit bFGF mRNA expression and signal transduction, respectively. The colony formation ability was determined by low-density cell seeding protocol. The mRNA expression was evaluated using real-time quantitative PCR. The osteogenic differentiation was examined using alkaline phosphatase enzymatic activity assay and alizarin red staining.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that the cells isolated from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) exhibited stem cell characteristics, regarding marker expression and multipotential differentiation ability (osteogenic, adipogenic, and neurogenic lineage). The sh-bFGF transduced SHEDs had lower colony forming unit and higher mineralization than those of the control. Similarly, the decrease of colony number and the increase of mineral deposition were noted upon exposing cells to FGFR chemical inhibitor.

CONCLUSION

These results imply that the endogenous bFGF may participate in the colony formation and osteogenic differentiation ability. In addition, the inhibition of bFGF signalling may be useful to enhance osteogenic differentiation of stem cells.