Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) on the growth and invasion of gallbladder
cancer cells. Methods The CAFs were isolated from human primary gallbladder carcinoma tissues by tissue culture and
digestion methods. The cells were purified by differential adhesion method, and the primary cells were identified
morphologically and immunocytochemically. The proliferation and invasion of two human gallbladder carcinoma cell lines
(SBC-996 and GBC-SD) co-cultured with CAFs were detected by MTT and Transwell chamber assays. Results Gallbladder
carcinoma CAFs were isolated successfully by both tissue culture and enzyme digestion methods, and the latter method was
more convenient and efficient. MTT and Transwell assays showed that CAFs significantly promoted the proliferation and
invasion of the two gallbladder carcinoma cell lines. Conclusion CAFs can promote the proliferation and invasion of
gallbladder carcinoma cells in vitro, suggesting the important role of CAFs in the development of gallbladder carcinoma.