Changes in Lipid Profile and SOX-2 Expression in RM-1 Cells after Co-Culture with Preimplantation Embryos or with Deproteinated Blastocyst Extracts

<p>In this study we utilize a class-based small molecule-focused approach to evaluate the paracrine interaction of preimplantation embryos (or simply their environment) with mouse prostate carcinoma cells (RM-1) and the effect of their close contact on the cancer cell metabolism. For this assessment we surveyed the lipid profiles of the cancer cells upon (i) co-incubation with two-cell embryos throughout the blastocyst stage or (ii) exposure to deproteinated blastocyst extracts, and compared them with untreated RM-1 cells. Additionally, we correlated these small-molecule profiles with the gene expression levels of SOX-2, a transcription factor commonly related to cell stemness properties. Our initial results demonstrate that both treatments (co-culture with preimplantation embryos or with deproteinated blastocyst extracts) induce changes in SOX-2 expression levels as well as in the quantities/production of specific acyl-carnitines, diacylglycerols, phospholipids, and cardiolipins in the RM-1 cells. This indicates that the <i>in vitro</i> system used to expose cancer cells to a mimicry of early embryonic environment allowed biochemical interaction between embryos and RM-1 cells. Further, it shows that the small molecules secreted by blastocysts, and their extracts, are bioactive and induce metabolic changes in cancer cells. We expect this <i>in vitro</i> model, as well as our analytical methodology, to be useful tools in order to obtain new insights into the paracrine stem cell communication pathways that play a role in CSC differentiation.</p>

<p>File "Samples ID_Morato et al 2022" list samples ID and experimental group identification</p>

<p>File "Methods_Morato et al 2022" has the description of the data acquisition methods</p>

<p>Folder "Relative amounts of lipids used for statistical analysis"  contains the relative amounts of the MRMs related to the lipids described in the publication. These data was used for the statistical analysis</p>

<p>Folder "LC-MSMS Cardiolipins" has raw raw LC-MS/MS data (.d extension used by MassHunter software, Agilent Technologies)</p>

<p>Folder "MRM Profiling data" has raw MRM profiling  data (.d extension used by MassHunter software, Agilent Technologies)</p>