Mesenchymal stromal cells promote the drug resistance of gastrointestinal stromal tumors by activating the PI3K-AKT pathway via TGF-β2

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the prevailing sarcomas of the gastrointestinal tract. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) therapy, exemplified by Imatinib mesylate (IM), constitutes the established adjuvant therapy for GISTs. Nevertheless, post-treatment resistance poses a challenge that all patients must confront. The presence of tumor heterogeneity and secondary mutation mechanisms fail to account for some instances of acquired drug resistance. Certain investigations suggest a strong association between tumor drug resistance and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) in the tumor microenvironment, but the underlying mechanism remains obscure. Scarce research has explored the connection between GIST drug resistance and the tumor microenvironment, as well as the corresponding mechanism. METHODS: Immunofluorescence and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) methodologies were employed to detect the presence of MSC in GIST samples. The investigation encompassed the examination of MSC migration towards tumor tissue and the impact of MSC on the survival of GIST cells under IM treatment. Through ELISA, western blotting, and flow cytometry analyses, it was confirmed that Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 (TGF-β2) triggers the activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway by MSC, thereby facilitating drug resistance in GIST. RESULTS: Our findings revealed a positive correlation between a high proportion of MSC and both GIST resistance and a poor prognosis. In vitro studies demonstrated the ability of MSC to migrate towards GIST. Additionally, MSC were observed to secrete TGF-β2, consequently activating the PI3K-AKT pathway and augmenting GIST resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation has revealed that MSC within GISTs possess the capacity to augment drug resistance, thereby highlighting their novel mechanism and offering a promising target for intervention in GIST therapy. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-023-04063-0.