Cancer-Associated-Fibroblast Induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transitionof Gastric Cancer Cells via Activating Thy-1

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the key stromal cells in solid tumor microenvironment and are crucial for facilitating tumor metastasis. However, the detailed mechanism of how CAFs induce metastasis in human gastric cancer remains to be elucidated. In this study, using the CAFs isolated from human gastric tumor tissues, we have demonstrated that co-culturing of the CAFs with gastric cancer cells could activate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program, leading to enhanced cancer cell migration and invasion. In the CAF cells, Thy-1 expression was significantly increased, compared to the normal fibroblasts. Mechanistic studies revealed that depletion of Thy- 1 by siRNA in CAF cells attenuated the CAFs-induced EMT and aggressiveness in gastric cancer cells. Taken together, our studies indicate a significant role of Thy-1 in CAFs-induced gastric cancer progression. Targeting Thy-1 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer treatment.