Evaluation of intercellular communication between normal human prostate epithelial cells and prostate cancer cell lines in co-culture model

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Recent evidences have provided new aspects to metastasis formation with respect to intercellular communication/interaction.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this research was to present an in vitro co-culture-principle application for intercellular communication between normal human prostate epithelial cells and prostate cancer cell lines.

METHODS:

Two prostate cancer cell-lines including androgen-independent DU-145 and PC-3 and the PNT1A, normal human prostate epithelial cell-line, were used in co-culture design. Prostate cancer cells and normal prostate epithelial cells were allowed to grow on the same culture medium without direct cell-to-cell contact and to communicate with each other. After a period of six-days, expression profiles of seven marker genes, including EGFR, SOX2, CD133, CD44, CASPASE 3, CASPASE 9, and IL-6 were determined using qPCR analysis. Comparison of experimental co-cultures with control groups was performed based on repetitive measurements.

RESULTS:

Expression analysis indicated that several of the genes were expressed at different levels in DU145 and PC-3 cells co-cultured with PNTA1. In this context, SOX2, CASPASE 9, and IL-6 genes were over-expressed up to 2–16 times in co-culture set up.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study may provide important clues regarding intercellular communication between normal and cancer cell lines. However, further experiments are needed to confirm the present results and to evaluate novel aspects of cancer development.