ObjectiveTo summarize the research status and biological characteristics of stromal fibroblast in breast cancer. MethodsRelevant literatures about the breast cancer stromal fibroblasts published recently were collected and reviewed. ResultsIn addition to cancer cells, breast cancer included stromal cells. The fibroblasts were the major components of breast cancer stromal, which had significantly different biological characteristics from normal fibroblasts. The fibroblasts were characterized by α-SMA positive, p53 gene mutation, secretion of various cytokines or chemokines in addition to the production of collagen substances, involving in breast cancer growth, migration, invasion and metastasis through a variety of signaling pathways. ConclusionThe biological characteristics of stromal fibroblasts in breast cancer may reflect lesion properties, be of great importance to diagnosis and differential diagnosis and prognosis prediction of breast cancer. More attentions will be paid to the target therapy for stromal fibroblasts in breast cancer.
ObjectiveTo explore the methods of separation， culture， and identification of breast cancer stromal fibroblasts (BCSFs), which could build up a good basis for the further research of function. MethodsBreast cancer tissues were obtained during breast cancer operation， and were cut into pieces with size of 1 mm×1 mm×1 mm under aseptic conditions， then the pieces of the tissues were digested by collagenase Ⅰ and hyaluronidase. Finally the cells separated from the tissues incubated at 37 ℃ with 5% CO2 and 95% air humidified incubator. Morphological characteristics of the fibroblasts were observed under light microscope. The certain proteins were examined by immunohistochemistry （using CK， Vimentin， α-SMA, and TE-7 antibody） and flow cytometric analysis (CD34 and CD45). ResultsThe separated cells begin to attach to the wall of flask within 24 h and reached almost confluency in about 7 d to 10 d . According to identification, the successful rate of separation and culture of BCSFs was 90%（18/20）, and the characteristics of cells showed that morphological characteristics of the fibroblasts was flat spindle， rich cytoplasm, and a flat ovoid cystic nuclear. The fibroblasts in breast cancer tissues showed negative staining for cytokeratin， positive staining for vimentin， alpha-smooth muscle actin, and TE-7， and negative for CD34 and CD45 by flow cytometric analysis. ConclusionsThe fibroblasts in breast cancer tissues could be easily obtained by tissues cuting combined enzyme digestion and rocking technology in vitro. The present study provide an experimental foundation for further studies on fibroblasts in breast cancer.