Effects of mouse embryonic fibroblasts on proliferation and apoptosis of Lewis lung carcinoma cells

Objective To explore whether or not mouse embryonic fibroblasts(MEFs) have biological activities similar to those of tumor-associated fibroblasts.Methods MEFs were obtained by primary culture and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) was identified by immunohistochemistry.MEF conditioned medium(MEF-CM) was obtained from high glucose DMEM which was cultured for 48 h.On the basis of different medium,the groups were divided into MEF conditioned medium and DMEM ones.The growth rate of Lewis lung carcinoma(LLC) cells was measured by MTT and apoptosis was further measured by flow cytometer according to whether LLC was influenced by 5-Fu.Results MEFs were obtained successfully and could express α-SMA.Compared with DMEM,MEF conditioned medium could significantly promote LLC proliferation and inhibit LLC apoptosis(P0.05).MEF conditioned medium could also resist the lethal effect on LLC induced by 5-Fu(P0.05).Conclusion MEF,a kind of activated fibroblasts,has biological activities similar to those of tumor-associated fibroblasts and can promote the proliferation of tumor cells and inhibit their apoptosis.MEF can be used as tumor-associated fibroblasts in research of tumor microenvironment.