Abstract:
Objective This study aims to describe the mechanism by which gastric cancer cells lead to an early peritoneal metastasis.
Methods Injured mesothelial cells were examined by fluorescence microscopy. A rat's parietal thickness was measured using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Morphological changes in the human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC) were observed under a scanning electron microscope and phase-contrast microscope. The cell migration capacity and the gastric cancer cell infestation were examined using Millicell inserts in a chamber co-culture.
Results Mesothelial cells could prevent cancer cell infiltration into the sub-mesothelial connective tissues. Conspicuous morphological changes were observed in the HPMC after the treatment with the gastric cancer cell supernatants. The supernatants induced the cytoskeleton reconstruction of HPMC. The injured mesothelial cells promoted invasion and metastasis in the gastric cancer cells.
Conclusion These findings indicate that gastric cancer cells can induce peritoneal fibrosis through supernatants during early peritoneal metastasis. However, the injured mesothelial cells can upregulate invasion and metastasis in gastric cancer cells.