The Emerging Role of GC-MSCs in the Gastric Cancer Microenvironment: From Tumor to Tumor Immunity

Figure 2

The interaction between GC-MSCs and immune cells and therapy. (a) GC-MSC-derived IL-6 induces the activation of neutrophils through STAT3-ERK1/2 signaling axis, promoting migration and angiogenesis of GC cells. (b) GC-MSC-CM inhibits the proliferation of antitumor immune cells, Th17 cells. GC-MSC-derived IL-15 can promote the differentiation of protumor immune cells, Tregs through activating STAT5. GC-MSC-educated PBMCs could also induce migration and the EMT of GC cells. GC-MSC-derived IL-8 could promote PD-L1 expression in GC cells through STAT3/mTOR-c-Myc signaling axis. CD4⁺ T cells educate GC-MSCs with PD-L1 upregulation, promoting GC cell migration and GC growth via activating PD-1/mTOR signaling. (c) Curcumin could inhibit GC-MSC-mediated angiogenesis and suppress GC growth.