# Investigating the Impact of the Secretome From hAMSCs on HT‐29 Colon Cancer Cells via TNF‐α/TGF‐β/c‐MYC Signaling Pathways Using a Three‐Dimensional Cell Culture Model

**Authors:** Mohammad Ali Majdoddin, Fatemeh Safari

PMC · DOI: 10.1002/iid3.70283 · 2025-10-15

## TL;DR

This study explores how the secretome of hAMSCs affects colon cancer cells through specific signaling pathways, suggesting a new approach for cancer treatment.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the investigation of hAMSCs secretome's impact on HT-29 cells using a 3D model and specific signaling pathways.

## Key findings

- The TGF-βR/SMADs/c-MYC signaling pathway was reduced in HT-29 cells treated with hAMSCs secretome.
- Levels of p15INK4B, p21CIP1, TNF-α, and IL-4/6/8 increased following treatment.
- Cell invasion decreased in HT-29 cells exposed to hAMSCs secretome.

## Abstract

Colon cancer is recognized as one of the predominant reasons of death globally. The ongoing cancer treatment techniques have not been successful; so, a strong and unique platform is needed. Interestingly, it has been discovered that stem cells offer a valuable and promising platform in cancer treatment. The goal of this study is to explore the influences of hAMSCs secretome on HT‐29 colon cancer cells by analyzing TNF‐α/TGF‐βR/c‐MYC signaling pathway, expression of interleukins (IL)‐4/6/8, and cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitory proteins (p15INK4B and p21CIP1) using a hanging drop 3D cell culture model.

In this study, a coculture system was employed. After 3 days, hAMSCs' secretome was collected and its effects on tumor formation, inflammation, and cell invasion were analyzed using Western blot, scratch assay, qPCR, and ELISA.

The study revealed a decrease in the TGF‐βR/SMADs/c‐MYC signaling pathway and an increase in levels of p15INK4B, p21CIP1, TNF‐α, and IL‐4/6/8. Additionally, a decrease in invasion was detected in HT‐29 cells treated with hAMSCs.

Our results could be useful in developing a new approach to treating cancer using hAMSCs' secretome.

## Linked entities

- **Genes:** TNF (tumor necrosis factor) [NCBI Gene 7124], LOC135820916 (uncharacterized LOC135820916) [NCBI Gene 135820916], MYC (MYC proto-oncogene, bHLH transcription factor) [NCBI Gene 4609], IL4 (interleukin 4) [NCBI Gene 3565], IL6 (interleukin 6) [NCBI Gene 3569], CXCL8 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8) [NCBI Gene 3576], CDKN2B (cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2B) [NCBI Gene 1030], CDKN1A (cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A) [NCBI Gene 1026]
- **Proteins:** LOC135820916 (uncharacterized LOC135820916), MYC (MYC proto-oncogene, bHLH transcription factor), CDKN2B (cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2B), CDKN1A (cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A), TNF (tumor necrosis factor), IL4 (interleukin 4), IL6 (interleukin 6), CXCL8 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8)
- **Diseases:** colon cancer (MONDO:0002032)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** TNF (tumor necrosis factor) [NCBI Gene 7124] {aka DIF, IMD127, TNF-alpha, TNFA, TNFSF2, TNLG1F}, CDKN1A (cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A) [NCBI Gene 1026] {aka CAP20, CDKN1, CIP1, MDA-6, P21, SDI1}, CDKN2B (cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2B) [NCBI Gene 1030] {aka CDK4I, INK4B, MTS2, P15, TP15, p15INK4b}, MYC (MYC proto-oncogene, bHLH transcription factor) [NCBI Gene 4609] {aka MRTL, MYCC, bHLHe39, c-Myc}, TGFB1 (transforming growth factor beta 1) [NCBI Gene 7040] {aka CAEND1, CED, DPD1, IBDIMDE, LAP, TGF-beta1}
- **Diseases:** inflammation (MESH:D007249), death (MESH:D003643), cancer (MESH:D009369), Colon Cancer (MESH:D015179)
- **Cell lines:** HT-29 — Homo sapiens (Human), Colon adenocarcinoma, Cancer cell line (CVCL_0320)

## Figures

7 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12521875/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12521875