Bcl-2 and Fas expressions correlate with proliferative specificity of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in breast cancer.

The tumor microenvironment consists of a dynamic interaction with several cell types including infiltrating cells from the immune system, fibroblasts, adipose derived stem cells (ASCs), and an appropriate milieu for tumor cell growth, expansion and spreading. The aim of this study was to focus on ASCs function by isolating and characterizing them from both breast cancer and normal breast adipose tissues. Therefore, the expressions of Bcl-2 and Fas mRNAs in these cells were determined using real-time quantitative PCR (Q-PCR). Also the proliferative properties of ASCs were compared among different pathological states and normal ASCs utilizing the MTT assay. It was observed that, Bcl-2 mRNA had 5-fold more expression in ASCs of patients than in controls. In contrast, Fas had a lower expression of mRNA in ASCs of patients compared to the controls. ASCs isolated from patients with stage 3 breast cancer had a statistically significant higher rate of proliferation compared to stage 2 and normal ASCs (P-value < 0.001). Based on these results, ASCs of the tumor microenvironment may contribute to tumor growth and progression and consequently protect tumor cells from the host immune response. Therefore these cells may be considered as therapeutic targets of cancer immunotherapy.