Aim
Cumulus cells (CCs) originate from the membrane granulosa cells and surround oocytes during follicle maturation. CCs produce high levels of hyaluronan that targets CD44, which is a major tumorigenic marker. This study aimed to investigate whether CCs have a role in cell therapy by targeting CD44 in pancreatic cancer cells. Materials and
Conclusion
CCs conditioned medium induced apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells.
Methods
CCs were isolated from the oocytes and incubated in a hypoxic environment. BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells were treated with CC conditioned media for three days.
Results
Conditioned media of CC cells incubated in hypoxic conditions caused a 25% reduction in the viability of BxPC-3 cells. Expression of anti-apoptotic genes was down-regulated, while that of pro-apoptotic genes was upregulated. An increased number of BxPC-3 cells exhibited increased levels of reactive oxygen species and arrested in the synthesis (S) phase of the cell cycle.