A shift from papillary to reticular fibroblasts enables tumour-stroma interaction and invasion.

BACKGROUND: Tumour stroma consists of a heterogeneous population of fibroblasts and related mesenchymal cells, collectively dubbed cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). These CAFs are key players in cancer invasion of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). As we have shown earlier, papillary and reticular fibroblasts (Pfs and Rfs, respectively) have distinct effects on epidermal and dermal homeostasis, but their role in cancer invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) remains to be determined.

METHODS: We used 3D cultures of human skin equivalents (HSEs) to analyse the effects of Pfs and Rfs on the invasive behaviour of SCC and EMT.

RESULTS: We reveal for the first time the importance of Pfs versus Rfs in SCC invasion and EMT. Cell lines from different stages of SCC showed significantly more extensive invasion into a dermis composed of Rfs than of Pfs. In addition, Rfs-based HSEs showed increased cell activation and stained positive for CAF biomarkers α-SMA and vimentin. Further analysis revealed that invasively growing cancer cells in Rf-HSEs express markers of EMT transition, like SNAIL2, N-cadherin and ZEB1.

CONCLUSIONS: Conversely, our results show that Pfs contain cancer cells more within the epidermis. Rfs are clearly predisposed to differentiate into CAFs upon SCC signals, assisting invasion and EMT.