Abstract:
Objective: To explore the methods of isolation, purification, and identification of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) associated fibroblasts (iCAFs), which could facilitate further functional and pharmacological evaluation.
Methods: Under aseptic conditions the tissue specimens of iCCA were obtained, minced, and digested in the digestive medium supplemented with collagenase Ⅳ and hyaluronidase. The single-cell suspension underwent immunomagnetic separation and purification, and carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were separated and cultured. Through morphological observation, immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry analysis, whether the cells were iCAFs or not.
Results: Morphologically, iCAFs were elongated or fusiform, with transparent cytoplasm, obvious refraction, single round or ovoid nucleus. Cellular processes overlap to form grids and show the "peak-valley" pattern. Under immunofluorescence, the typical iCAFs showed positive staining for alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and vimentin, and negative staining for pan-cytokeratin. Under flow cytometry detection, they were positive for α-SMA and negative for both CD34 and CD45.
Conclusions: Enzyme digestion in combination with immunomagnetic separation can effectively separate iCAFs with high purity, providing a good platform for further studies on the roles of iCAFs in the pathogenesis of iCCA.