c-Kit-Positive Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote the Growth and Angiogenesis of Breast Cancer

Figure 3

The effect of c-Kit⁺ ASCs on tumorigenesis and angiogenesis of 4T1 breast cancer cells in vivo. c-Kit⁺ ASCs (10⁵) with 4T1 cells (10⁵) and EPCs (10⁴) were suspended in 200 µL of PBS/Matrigel and injected onto mammary fat pads of female nude mice as follows: injection alone or EPCs + 4T1 or ASCs + 4T1/EPCs coinjection. Tumor growth and vessel formation were detected. ((a)-(b)) The primary tumor volume was significantly increased in the c-Kit⁺ ASCs coinjection group, compared with the other injection groups. (c) The weight of the nude mouse increased, and no significant differences between groups, except for a decrease in the c-Kit^- ASC coinjection group at 14 days after injection, were observed. (d) Mature adipose formation in the tumor was confirmed by oil red O staining in the ASC coinjection groups. (e) H&E staining and CD31 immunostaining showed broad vessel formation in the tumors, as indicated by the arrows. (f) The microvascular density was higher in the tumors containing c-Kit⁺ ASCs than in the other injection groups. ; ; . (d) (left) and (e): 40x magnification; (d) (right): 100x magnification. CD31: platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1. MVD: microvascular density.

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