Adipose-Derived Stem Cells of Blind Mole Rat Spalax Exhibit Reduced Homing Ability: Molecular Mechanisms and Potential Role in Cancer Suppression.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are recruited by cancer cells from the adjacent tissue, and they become an integral part of the tumor microenvironment. Here, we report that ADSCs from the long-living, tumor-resistant blind mole rat, Spalax, have a low ability to migrate toward cancer cells compared with cells from its Rattus counterpart. Tracking 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU)-labeled ADSCs, introduced to tumor-bearing nude mice, toward the xenografts, we found that rat ADSCs intensively migrated and penetrated the tumors, whereas only a few Spalax ADSCs reached the tumors. Moreover, rat ADSCs, but not Spalax ADSCs, acquired endothelial-like phenotype and incorporated in the intratumoral reticular structure resembling a vasculature. Likewise, endothelial-like cells differentiated from Spalax and rat ADSCs could form capillary-like structures; however, the tube densities were higher in rat-derived cells. Using time-lapse microscopy, in vitro wound-healing, and transwell migration assays, we demonstrated the impaired motility and low polarization ability of Spalax ADSCs. To assess whether the phosphorylated status of myosin light chain (MLC) is involved in the decreased motility of Spalax ADSCs, we inhibited MLC phosphorylation by blocking of Rho-kinase (ROCK). Inhibition of ROCK resulted in the suppression of MLC phosphorylation, acquisition of actin polarization, and activa

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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