Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Transforming Growth Factor Beta Level in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Induced Rat Model
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- Category: Vol. 84, December 2016
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Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Transforming Growth Factor Beta Level in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Induced Rat Model, HANAN FOUAD, LAILA RASHED, RANIA E. HUSSEIN and SHIMAA SAAD EL-DIN
Abstract
Background: Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-b) signaling pathway has been recognized as a key driver in cancer, where its activation affects cell proliferation, angio-genesis, invasion and metastasis. Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are emerging as vehicles for cancer gene therapy due to their inherent migratory abilities toward tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bone marrow derived-MSCs (BM-MSCs) on TGF-b level in experimental Hepato-cellular Carcinoma (HCC) in rat.
Material and Methods: This study involved thirty female white albino rats divided equally into: Control group, HCC group induced by Diethyl-Nitroseamine (DENA) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and HCC group treated with BM-MSCs. TGF-b protein level in rat liver tissues and serum levels of Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP) were assessed by ELISA. Also, serum levels of ALT and albumin were estimated by colori-metric methods.
Results: TGF-b protein level in rat liver tissues was significantly increased in untreated HCC rat group compared to the control group. While a significant decrease was shown in HCC group treated with BM-MSCs when compared to the untreated HCC group. Also, the serum levels of AFP and ALT were significantly increased in untreated HCC group compared to the control group, whereas there was a significant decrease in their levels in BM-MSCs treated groups as compared to the untreated HCC group.
Conclusion: Down-regulation of TGF-b levels could be achieved by administration of BM-MSCs in chemically induced HCC rats. From these findings, targeting the over-expressed TGF-b signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC.