Mesenchymal stromal cells protect cancer cells from ROS-induced apoptosis and enhance the Warburg effect by secreting STC1

Mol Ther. 2012 Feb;20(2):417-23. doi: 10.1038/mt.2011.259. Epub 2011 Dec 6.

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) enhance cell survival through upregulation and secretion of stanniocalcin-1 (STC1). This study shows that MSC-derived STC1 promotes survival of lung cancer cells by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation, reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and shifting metabolism towards a more glycolytic metabolic profile. MSC-derived STC1 upregulated uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) in injured A549 cells in an STC1-dependent manner. Knockdown of UCP2 reduced the ability of MSCs and recombinant STC1 (rSTC1) to reduce cell death in the A549 population. rSTC1-treated A549 cells displayed decreased levels of ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and increased lactate production, all of which were dependent on the upregulation of UCP2. Our data suggest that MSCs can promote cell survival by regulating mitochondrial respiration via STC1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anaerobiosis
  • Apoptosis* / drug effects
  • Autocrine Communication / genetics
  • Glycolysis
  • Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Ion Channels / genetics
  • Ion Channels / metabolism
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Paracrine Communication / genetics
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / pharmacology
  • Uncoupling Protein 2

Substances

  • Glycoproteins
  • Ion Channels
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • UCP2 protein, human
  • Uncoupling Protein 2
  • teleocalcin