Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of endometrial carcinoma microenvironment and transforming growth factor β-1(TGF β-1)on the activation of normal endometrial fibroblasts(NF)to carcinoma-associated fibroblasts(CAF). Methods Endometrial carcinoma cell line(Ishikawa cells)was cultured in vitro. Conditioned medium(CM)was prepared. Primarily cultured NF was co-cultured. The cells were divided into four groups and treated accordingly: NF group(group A), NF+TGF β-1(group B), NF+CM(group C), and NF+CM+TGF β-R I/II kinase inhibitors(group D). The expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)was detected with QT-PCR and Western blotting. Results The α-SMA protein and mRNA expressions in group B and C were higher than those in group A(P=0.01, P<0.001; P<0.001, P=0.01). The α-SMA protein and mRNA expressions in group B and C were higher than those in group D(P<0.001, P=0.01; P<0.001, P=0.01). Compared with group C, group B had higher α-SMA protein expression(P<0.001), but the α-SMA mRNA expression had no statistical difference(P=0.40). Conclusion Endometrial carcinoma microenvironment can promote the transformation of NF-CAF, and TGFβ-1 plays an important role in the process.

Key words: Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts, Endometrial carcinoma, α-smooth muscle actin, Endometrial carcinoma microenvironment