The Type of Cells Used as a Feeder Layer Influences Pheno-type of Normal Keratinocytes

• Published in: Tissue engineering 2007-04, Vol.13 (4), p.902-902
• Main Authors: Dvorankova, B, Lacina, L, Chovanec, M, Cada, Z, Smetana, K Jr
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1076-3279

Background and Aims: Microenvironment, a so-called 'niche', is very important for the functioning of adult/tissue stem cells. Normal tissue stem cells are very similar to cancer stem cells, where tumor stroma, similarly to niche, influence behavior and phenotype of cancer cells. Methods: To study the role of tumor stromal fibroblasts on normal keratinocyte behavior, we prepared stromal fibroblasts from basal as well as from squamous cell carcinomas and expanded them in vitro. The coculture experiments were performed when tumor stromal fibroblasts were used as a feeder layer for normal keratinocytes. Results: The results were compared with coculture of keratinocytes with established fibroblast lines (3T3, LEP) or dermal fibroblasts. We demonstrate that both tumor fibroblasts can significantly change the phenotype of normal cultured keratinocytes to the phenotype observed in epidermal stem cells. These keratinocytes extensively expressed keratin 8, keratin 14 and keratin 19. Moreover, although nucleostemin is not an exclusive marker of epidermal stem cells, this protein was selectively expressed in keratinocytes cocultured with tumor stromal cells. It is of note that this keratinocyte phenotype was observed in keratinocytes that were in direct contact with tumor stromal cells or separated using an insert system. Conclusions: Tumor stromal elements can influence the phenotype of normal cultured keratinocyte, which gain resemblance to epidermal stem cells. The explanation of this phenomenon needs further research in molecular studies.