Survivin is upregulated in myeloma cell lines cocultured with mesenchymal stem cells

In this study we investigated the influence of the mesenchymal stem cells on the survival of U266 and H929 myeloma cell lines. We found that both soluble factors and direct cell contact inhibited daunorubicin-induced apoptosis of U266 and H929 cells. The mRNA and protein levels of survivin were upregulated in U266 and H929 cells cocultured with mesenchymal stem cells, whereas not increased in that separated by TW insert. Antisense oligonucleotides targeting survivin downregulated the expression of survivin and increased the apoptosis of U266 and H929 cells. The results indicated that MSCs had anti-apoptotic effect on U266 and H929 cells that was mediated by survivin.