Characterization of tumor-derived pancreatic stellate cells.

Background Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are key mediators of the desmoplastic reaction that characterizes pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We sought to isolate and characterize tumor-derived pancreatic stellate (TDPS) cells to further understand how these stromal cells influence pancreatic cancer behavior. Methods We established a stable line of non-immortalized PSCs from a patient with pancreatic adenocarcinoma using a modified prolonged outgrowth method. Cell staining for cytokeratin, vimentin, and alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) was performed. Total RNA was harvested from TDPS and panc-1 cells and gene expression determined by microarray analysis. Results TDPS cells contain lipid droplets in the cytoplasm, and later stain positive for both vimentin and αSMA, indicative of activated myofibroblasts. Microarray analysis revealed a distinct gene expression profile compared with pancreatic cancer cells, including expression of proteases that facilitate cancer cell invasion and growth factors known to activate pancreatic cancer cells. Additionally, TDPS cells expressed many of the key components of the pancreatic tumor stroma, including collagen, fibronectin, and S100A4, confirming their importance in the tumor microenvironment. Conclusions Characterization of tumor-derived PSCs will facilitate further studies to determine how the tumor microenvironment promotes the aggressive behavior of pancreatic cancer.