Polarization, migration, and homotypical interactions among prostatic smooth muscle cells in a laminin 111-rich extracellular matrix

Author(s)

Osorio, Daniel A. ^[1] ; Consonni, Silvio R. ^[2] ; dos Santos, Aline M. ^{[1, 3]} ; Carvalho, Hernandes F. ^{[1, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Struct & Funct Biol, UNICAMP, Carl von Linnaeus St S-N Infab Bldg, Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Biochem & Tissue Biol, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Natl Inst Photon Appl Cell Biol, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Cell Biology International; v. 45, n. 4 JAN 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Prostate cancer is a life-threatening condition worldwide. As the tumor progresses, smooth muscle cells (SMCs) become atrophic/dedifferentiated, within a series of stromal changes named stromal reaction. Here, we tested whether a laminin 111-rich extracellular matrix (Lr-ECM) could affect SMCs phenotype and differentiation status. Using time-lapse microscopy, image analyses, quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting, and transmission electron microscopy, we showed that SMCs acquires a migratory behavior with a decreased expression of differentiation markers and relocation of focal adhesion kinase. SMCs set homotypic cell junctions and were active in autophagy/phagocytosis. Analysis of the migratory behavior showed that SMCs polarized and migrated toward each other, recognizing long-distance signals such as matrix tensioning. However, half of the cell population were immotile, irrespective of the nearest neighbor distance, suggesting they do not engage in productive interactions, possibly as a result of back-to-back positioning. In conclusion, the Lr-ECM, mimics the effects of the proliferating and infiltrating tumor epithelium, causing SMCs phenotypical change similar to that observed in the stromal reaction, in addition to a hitherto undescribed, stereotyped pattern of cell motility resulting from cell polarization. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/03235-4 - Prostatic smooth muscle cells: regulation of differentiation and activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK)by interactions with the epithelium and the extracelluar matrix
• Grantee: Daniel Andrés Osorio Rodríguez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 14/50938-8 - INCT 2014: in Photonics Applied to Cell Biology
• Grantee: Hernandes Faustino de Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants