Effects of MPSSS on the Differentiation of Tumor-Associated Fibroblasts

Tumor development is closely related to the tumor microenvironment (TME), with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)being a key component.Lentinan ,a polysaccharide from Lentinus edodes, inhibits tumor cell proliferation and induces apoptosis, but its effects on CAFs are unclear. This study investigates the role of MPSSS, a key component of lentinan, in the activation of prostate cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)through in vitro experiments. A co-culture model using PC-3 cell supernatant and LX-2 cells was established to simulate CAF activation in the TME.MPSSS cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay, while fibroblast activation protein α(FAP)mRNA expression was measured by qPCR. Results show that PC-3 supernatant reduced LX-2 cell viability, but MPSSS restored it in a concentration-dependent manner. FAP mRNA expression was upregulated after 96 hours of induction, correlating positively with MPSSS concentration. This indicates that MPSSS regulates CAF activation, providing a basis for targeted CAF therapy.