卵巢癌组织及腹腔积液中肿瘤干细胞的分离与培养

目的:从人卵巢癌组织和腹腔积液中分离培养肿瘤干细胞,分析细胞表型和化疗药物敏感性。方法:取卵巢浆腺癌患者的原发肿瘤组织及腹腔积液,通过无血清培养形成悬浮生长的球体。采用FCM及免疫荧光法检测干细胞标志物的表达。体外药敏实验检测获得的球体细胞和分化细胞对紫杉醇和卡铂的药物敏感性。结果:卵巢癌组织及腹腔积液中的卵巢癌细胞经无血清悬浮培养可以形成球体,后者具有CD44+CD24-表型并表达Oct4、Nanog及Sox2等干细胞标志物;腹腔积液及组织来源的球体细胞经血清培养液培养3周后发生分化,CD44+CD24-细胞比例分别下降至47%和3%;分化细胞对紫杉醇和卡铂的敏感性均显著高于球体细胞(P<0.01)。结论:卵巢癌的肿瘤干细胞属于CD44+CD24-细胞,后者表达Oct4等干细胞标志并具有显著耐药性。     

喉癌细胞CD44+CD133+高致瘤亚群的生物学特性

目的 筛选喉癌细胞中的高致瘤亚群,探讨其作为肿瘤干细胞的生物学特性.方法 原代培养喉癌细胞,采用流式细胞仪分选CD44+、CD133+、CD44+CD133+、CD44+CD133-细胞,并分别以1×106、1×105、1×104、1×102个/只接种于裸小鼠左腋皮下,观察各亚群成瘤时间、成瘤率、平均瘤重及肿瘤体积,筛选出在极低细胞浓度下的高致瘤亚群.采用Boyden小室体外侵袭实验,检测各亚群细胞的侵袭能力.采用免疫细胞化学染色检测各亚群细胞中干细胞抗原-1(SCA-1)及整合素β1的表达.采用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和Westem blot法,检测各亚群细胞中Bmi-1基因的表达.结果 CD44+CD133+细胞以1×103个/只接种于裸小鼠,可以成瘤.当各亚群细胞以1×106个/只接种于裸小鼠4周后,CD44+CD133+细胞接种组棵小鼠的肿瘤体积和重量分别为(7726.81±196.93)mm3和(5.51±0.12)g,均大于CD44+、CD44+CD133-及未分选细胞接种组(均P<0.05),而与CD133+细胞接种组裸小鼠的肿瘤体积和重量差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).CD44+CD133+细胞24 h的侵袭细胞数为83.62±1.61,显著高于其他各亚群喉癌细胞.CD44+CD133+细胞高表达整合素β1和SCA-1.Bmi-1 mRNA在CD44+CD133+细胞中的表达水平为0.951±0.112,显著高于CD44+CD133-细胞和未分选的喉癌细胞(0.532±0.214和0.268±0.193,均P<0.01);Bmi-1蛋白在CD133+和CD44+CD133+细胞中高表达,而在CD44+、CD44+CDi33-和未分选的喉癌细胞中仅有少量表达.结论 CD44+CD133+喉癌细胞具有高致瘤性及肿瘤干细胞的生物学特性,可能是喉癌恶性增殖的根源,并有望成为喉癌治疗的新靶点.     

脐血来源CIK细胞高表达激活型表面标志物及耐药基因

目的:比较脐血来源的细胞因子诱导杀伤(cytokine-induced killer,CIK)细胞和肿瘤患者外周血来源CIK(peripheral blood-derived CIK,PB-CIK)细胞的增殖、激活型和抑制型表面标志物、耐药基因ABCG2以及干细胞转录因子表达的差异,探讨脐血来源CIK(umbilical cord blood-derived CIK,CB-CIK)细胞应用于肿瘤过继细胞免疫治疗的优越性。方法:采用Ficoll-plaque淋巴细胞分离液分离脐血及肿瘤患者外周血单个核细胞,加入细胞因子诱导培养CIK细胞。流式细胞术检测CIK细胞的增殖、免疫表型、激活型表面标志物CD28、CD27和抑制型表面标志物PD-1的表达,RT-PCR检测耐药基因ABCG2和干细胞转录因子c-Myc、Nanog、Oct-4、Sox2的表达。结果:CB-CIK细胞与PB-CIK细胞体外培养第4天时均开始增殖,第10天时CB-CIK细胞的增殖指数明显高于PB-CIK细胞[(251.52±16.76)%vs(158.00±43.19)%,P<0.05]。体外诱导培养13 d后CB-CIK细胞中CD3+CD56+细胞比例较PB-CIK细胞高[(21.20±4.82)%vs(10.06±3.46)%,P<0.05];激活型CD4+CD28+、CD4+CD27+和CD8+CD27+细胞比例在CB-CIK细胞中也明显升高[(32.40±16.81)%vs(18.65±9.23)%,(27.48±13.53)%vs(0.98±0.55)%,(41.76±13.98)%vs(2.58±2.10)%;P<0.05或P<0.01];而抑制型CD8+PD-1+细胞比例明显降低[(3.25±2.13)%vs(8.05±9.23)%,P<0.01]。此外,CB-CIK细胞与PB-CIK细胞均表达干细胞转录因子c-Myc、Nanog、Oct-4、Sox2,但两者之间无显著差异(P>0.05);而仅CB-CIK细胞表达高水平的耐药基因ABCG2。结论:CB-CIK细胞较PB-CIK细胞增殖速度快、激活型表面标志物表达水平高、抑制型表面标志物表达水平低、高表达耐药基因ABCG2,应用于肿瘤过继细胞免疫治疗有一定的优势。     

大肠癌细胞HCT-15肿瘤干细胞样细胞分离及成瘤性比较

目的:依据人大肠癌细胞HCT-15的表面标志物,分离其中的干细胞亚群。建立裸鼠体内原代大肠癌荷瘤模型,比较各亚群肿瘤体积和质量。方法:利用免疫磁珠分选技术,分离其中CD133/CD44干细胞亚群。分选得到CD133+CD44+、CD133+CD44-亚群分别接种于裸鼠体内,并观察肿瘤大小和质量。结果:CD133+CD44+和CD133+CD44-细胞亚群成功的从HCT-15细胞中分离出来。接种CD133+CD44+细胞的裸鼠形成的肿瘤体积［（2.76±0.22）cm3］和质量［（5.2±0.21）g］明显高于接种CD133+CD44-细胞裸鼠的肿瘤体积与质量［（1.56±0.34）cm3,（3.4±0.18）g］（P＜0.05）。结论:CD44阳性的大肠癌肿瘤干细胞成瘤能力明显高于CD44阴性的大肠癌肿瘤干细胞。     

CD133+与CD133-胶质瘤体内再移植性征比较

目的:比较CD133+和CD133-胶质母细胞瘤体内再移植的细胞性征.方法:剥离26只CD133+和2只CD133-胶质母细胞瘤细胞致瘤裸鼠皮下肿瘤组织,分成4份,第1部分肿瘤块制作成冰冻切片,原位凋亡试剂盒检测细胞凋亡率;从第2部分组织块中提取细胞总蛋白,蛋白质印迹法检测转录因子Oct4和Sox2、细胞核增殖抗原(PCNA)、表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)、血管生成因子2(Ang-2)、基质金属蛋白酶2(MMP-2)和MMP-9的表达水平;第3部分组织块剪碎消化成单细胞悬液,流式细胞术检测CD133+肿瘤细胞百分率;取第4部分肿瘤组织进行去胸腺裸鼠皮下再移植,检测成瘤率.结果:CD133+胶质母细胞瘤细胞所致肿瘤组织细胞凋亡率(4.37±0.74)％,低于CD133-胶质母细胞瘤细胞所致肿瘤组织细胞凋亡率(11.14±2.15)％,差异有统计学意义,P＜0.05;CD133+胶质母细胞瘤组织Oct4、Sox2、PCNA、EGFR、Ang2、MMP-2和MMP-9蛋白表达水平相对较高;CD133+和CD133-胶质母细胞瘤细胞所致肿瘤中CD133+细胞百分率分别为(2.47±0.67)％和(0.44±0.14)％,两者致裸鼠皮下成瘤率分别为10/10和4/10.结论:CD133+胶质母细胞瘤细胞所致肿瘤较CD133-胶质母细胞瘤细胞所致肿瘤具有更高的恶性表型,两者体内再移植后成瘤率提高.     

莱菔硫烷抑制肺癌干细胞增殖的体外实验

目的 研究莱菔硫烷（sulforaphane, SFN）对肺癌干细胞增殖的影响及其机制。方法 采用MTT法分析SFN对H460细胞增殖的影响;应用流式细胞术（FACS）检测SFN对细胞凋亡和侧群细胞比例的影响;肿瘤球培养法分析SFN对肿瘤球生长的影响;使用shRNA慢病毒载体构建β-catenin低表达细胞株,并应用蛋白电泳法检测在β-catenin正常或低表达情况下莱菔硫烷对β-catenin、Oct4、Sox2、c-Myc、Nanog等基因表达的影响。结果 SFN有效抑制H460细胞增殖,IC50为11.2 μmol/L。SFN处理72 h后,细胞凋亡呈剂量依赖性增高。SFN有效抑制原代肿瘤球和2代肿瘤球的生长,在较低浓度（1.0 μmol/L）下即有明显的抑制作用。FACS检测提示侧群细胞比例随SFN浓度增高而减少。SFN浓度依赖性地抑制β-catenin、Oct4、Sox2、c-Myc和Nanog等蛋白表达。在低表达β-catenin情况下,Oct4、Sox2、c-Myc、Nanog等基因表达水平与SFN浓度相关。结论 SFN通过β-catenin和干性相关基因（Sox2、c-Myc、Nanog和Oct4）特异地抑制肺癌干细胞的增殖。     

ABCG2及CD133在体内外不同分化胃癌中的表达水平研究

目的 研究ABCG2及CD133两种待定肿瘤干细胞标志物的表达与不同分化胃腺癌的数量关系。方法 (1)在78例人胃腺癌组织中以免疫荧光法检测ABCG2和CD133的表达;(2)以流式细胞技术对未分化胃癌细胞系HGC-27、低分化胃癌细胞系BGC-823及中-低分化胃腺癌细胞系SGC-7901中ABCG2、CD133的表达进行测定;(3)用上述三种细胞系建立裸鼠胃壁移植成瘤模型,采用免疫荧光染色的方法对体内环境下ABCG2和CD133在移植瘤中的表达情况进行检测。结果 (1)ABCG2和CD133的表达均与肿瘤分化程度相关。在人胃腺癌标本中,两种标志物的表达随着胃癌恶性程度的增加而增加,分化越差的胃癌ABCG2、CD133表达水平越高;并且根据Lauren分型,CD133在人弥散型胃癌中的表达高于肠型胃癌;(2)未分化细胞系HGC-27中ABCG2和CD133的表达要比中-低分化细胞系高;(3)三种胃癌细胞移植鼠模型中移植瘤组织ABCG2和CD133表达水平与人胃癌组织和不同分化胃癌细胞系的表达水平相似,低分化胃癌细胞株HGC-27移植瘤ABCG2、CD133表达水平最高。结论 肿瘤干细胞标志物ABCG2和CD133在不同分化胃癌中的表达有差异,且低分化胃癌其肿瘤干细胞标志物表达水平较高。     

高转移肺癌细胞株的建立及其肿瘤干细胞生物学特性

 目的 研究高转移肺腺癌细胞株的肿瘤干细胞生物学特征。方法 肺腺癌细胞系A549接种裸鼠皮下成瘤后,取肺的转移灶,通过机械分离法获取肺转移细胞,体外扩大培养后,再次接种裸鼠。如此反复接种裸鼠,获得稳定肺转移的细胞株A549-V13。采用无血清悬浮培养及PKH26染色确定A549-V13存在肿瘤干细胞。流式细胞术（FACS）检测和分选A549和A549-V13中肿瘤干细胞标志物CD133的表达并进行体内外生物学特征实验。结果 建立稳定高转移A549-V13细胞株。无血清悬浮培养A549-V13,7天后形成的球形细胞团中存在单个PKH26阳性细胞。FACS检测显示,与A549中CD133⁺细胞相比,高转移A549-V13细胞株中CD133⁺细胞的表达比例显著提高4.85倍。A549-V13中CD133⁺细胞具有更强的自我更新能力,侵袭能力提高1.42倍,耐药能力也显著增强,其IC₅₀提高1.26倍,A549-V13的CD133⁺细胞在裸鼠皮下接种2×102个细胞3月致瘤4/6,而接种2×10²个A549的CD133⁺细胞3月才致瘤2/6。结论 建立高转移肺癌细胞株A549-V13,伴随CD133⁺细胞表达比例的增加,其体内外生物学功能显著增强。     

人结直肠肿瘤干细胞的分离培养与生物学特性

目的 从人结直肠肿瘤细胞中分离培养结直肠肿瘤干细胞(Colon cancer stem cells)并研究其生物学特性。方法 采用有限稀释法筛选分离具有连续克隆能力的单细胞,通过MTT比色法对其体外增殖能力进行鉴定,流式细胞仪分析细胞表面标记CD133、CD166、CD24、CD47、CD200、CD90、CD44、EPCAM的表达情况;PCR检测Oct4、Sox2、Nanog、C-myc等相关基因的表达,实时荧光定量PCR检测其表达量。结果 三例能够形成肿瘤球的原代培养细胞CD166阳性细胞所占比例分别为61.9%、52.4%、47.8%,CD47阳性细胞所占比例分别为99.8%、97.2%、99.9%;不能形成肿瘤球的原代培养细胞中CD166阳性细胞为10.8%,CD47阳性细胞为0.1%;CD133、EPCAM、CD24、CD200四个表面标记在两种细胞中的表达均低于0.5%,CD44、CD90在两种细胞中的表达均高于95%;与原代细胞相比,克隆细胞具有较强的体外增殖能力并且高表达Oct4(P<0.05)、C-myc (P<0.01)及Sox2基因,不表达Nanog基因。结论 人结直肠肿瘤中存在具有自我更新和增殖潜能的结直肠肿瘤干细胞,在体外可将其分离、培养和纯化。     

CD24+CD44+胰腺癌细胞的获取及其干细胞特性的初步鉴定

背景与目的:近年研究发现,肿瘤内存在极小一部分细胞,决定肿瘤的恶性表型及生物学特性,被称为"肿瘤干细胞".本研究拟从人原发胰腺癌组织中找到具有干细胞特性的胰腺癌细胞,为今后靶向干预胰腺癌干细胞,解决胰腺癌治疗的临床难题提供研究基础.方法:将人原发胰腺癌组织种植于NOD/SCID小鼠成瘤,对移植瘤细胞进行流式细胞分选;将流式细胞仪分选获得的细胞用无血清、含有生长因子的DMEM/F12培养基培养,观察细胞的生长、传代及体外干细胞球形成能力;将细胞接种于非肥胖型糖尿病/重症联合免疫缺陷型(Nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency,NOD/SCID)小鼠,观察、比较成瘤率,免疫组化法检测干细胞移植瘤肿瘤分化相关抗原Ki67、CK7及甲基化调控因子MBD1的表达;免疫荧光检测细胞Hedgehog、BMI-1的表达.结果:人原发胰腺癌组织种植于NOD/SCID小鼠可部分成瘤,对移植瘤细胞进行流式细胞分选,获得CD24+CD44+细胞(获得率0.6%～1.8%);将CD24+CD44+细胞用无血清、含有生长因子的DMEM/F12培养基培养,细胞呈悬浮球状生长,可连续传代并能再次形成干细胞球;将102个CD24+CD44+细胞接种于NOD/SCID小鼠,成瘤率12.5%(1/8小鼠成瘤),将103个CD24+CD44+细胞接种于NOD/SCID小鼠,4周后100%成瘤,而同样数量的CD24 CD44胰腺癌细胞则无法成瘤(P＜0.05),免疫组化法检测干细胞移植瘤中部分细胞表达Ki67、CK7及MBD1阳性;免疫荧光检测证实CD24+CD44+细胞阳性表达Hedgehog、BMI-1,表达量分别高于CD24-CD44-细胞9.95倍和2.74倍(P＜0.05).结论:所获得的CD24+CD44+细胞具有胰腺癌干细胞特性,可作为今后胰腺癌干细胞研究的实验基础.     

FUNDC1调控肺癌A549细胞及其干细胞的生长、自噬、凋亡和细胞干性的研究

目的:本实验旨在阐明线粒体自噬受体蛋白FUNDC1(FUN 14 domain containing 1)在肺癌病理进程中对肿瘤细胞生长死亡以及细胞干性的调控作用。方法:使用RT-qPCR分析FUNDC1在肺癌组织和细胞中的表达情况。siRNAs和过表达载体转染A549细胞以及诱导形成的A549干细胞团(A549/CSC)。采用CCK-8增殖试剂盒及集落形成实验分析不同处理对肺癌细胞增殖的影响。Western blotting检测FUNDC1、细胞自噬相关蛋白(Beclin-1、LC3-Ⅱ、p62)、凋亡相关蛋白(Bax、Bcl-2、caspase3)和细胞干性相关蛋白(CD133、Sox2、Oct4)的表达。细胞凋亡试剂盒(Elisa)用于测定细胞凋亡水平。流式细胞术分析CD133细胞阳性率。结果:FUNDC1在肺癌组织及细胞中表达上调,干扰FUNDC1抑制A549细胞增殖和保护性自噬,同时诱导细胞凋亡。此外,FUNDC1与CD133表达显著正相关,干扰FUNDC1可显著抑制细胞干性相关基因CD133、Sox2、Oct4的表达。A549/CSC细胞的FUNDC1表达高于正常A549细胞。干扰FUNDC1同样会抑制A549/CSC细胞增殖和保护性自噬,促进细胞凋亡。结论:FUNDC1调控肺癌细胞及CSC细胞的生长、自噬、凋亡及细胞干性。     

Cancer stem-like cells in human prostate carcinoma cells DU145: the seeds of the cell line?

The aim of this study is to investigate cancer stem cells and their markers in the prostate cancer cell line Du145. Different populations of cells were isolated from Du145. The clones formed by CD44+ integrinalpha(2)beta(1)+CD133+ cells are remarkably different morphologically and quantitatively from those formed by integrinalpha(2)beta(1)(-/low)CD133(-) cells. CD133(+) cells have the capacity for self renewal, extensive differentiation potential, and high proliferative and tumorigenic potential. CD34+ and CD117+ cells have no stem cell properties. Expression levels of c-myc and beta-catenin were elevated and bax was down regulated in CD44+ integrinalpha(2)beta(1)+CD133+ cells. In summary, CD44, integrinalpha(2)beta(1) and CD133 could be the cancer stem cell makers for the Du145 cell line. CD133+ cells differed significantly from CD44+ integrinalpha(2)beta(1)(-/low)CD133- cells and the total population in clone generation, genes expression, differentiation, proliferative and tumorigenic potential.     

耐顺铂卵巢癌患者腹水中ALDH1阳性肿瘤细胞的生物学特性

目的:探讨卵巢癌顺铂耐药患者腹水中ALDH1阳性肿瘤细胞的生物学特征。方法:从卵巢癌顺铂耐药患者腹水中分离癌细胞,流式分选法得到 ALDH1阳性和ALDH1阴性细胞,荧光定量RT-PCR检测两组细胞的干细胞标志CD44、CD90、CD133及上皮间质化相关标志E-cadherin、N-cadherin、Vimentin及Fibronectin在mRNA水平的表达,MTT法测定细胞增殖曲线和对顺铂的耐药指数,Transwell 小室侵袭实验、克隆形成实验、悬浮成球实验分别观察细胞侵袭能力、增殖分化能力及干细胞的潜能。结果:与ALDH1阴性细胞相比,ALDH1阳性细胞的干细胞标志CD44、CD90、CD133表达升高,上皮化标志E-cadherin降低,间质化标志 N-cadherin、Vimentin表达明显升高。MTT测定生长曲线显示ALDH1阳性细胞增殖明显增快,对顺铂的耐药指数为14.2,ALDH1阳性细胞的穿膜细胞数、克隆形成数以及成球数目显著高于ALDH1 阴性细胞 (P<0.05)。结论:ALDH1阳性细胞具备干细胞特征,其耐药性和侵袭能力增强。     

Molecular properties of CD133+ glioblastoma stem cells derived from treatment-refractory recurrent brain tumors

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains refractory to conventional therapy. CD133+ GBM cells have been recently isolated and characterized as chemo-/radio-resistant tumor-initiating cells and are hypothesized to be responsible for post-treatment recurrence. In order to explore the molecular properties of tumorigenic CD133+ GBM cells that resist treatment, we isolated CD133+ GBM cells from tumors that are recurrent and have previously received chemo-/radio-therapy. We found that the purified CD133+ GBM cells sorted from the CD133+ GBM spheres express SOX2 and CD44 and are capable of clonal self-renewal and dividing to produce fast-growing CD133− progeny, which form the major cell population within GBM spheres. Intracranial injection of purified CD133+, not CD133− GBM daughter cells, can lead to the development of YKL-40+ infiltrating tumors that display hypervascularity and pseudopalisading necrosis-like features in mouse brain. The molecular profile of purified CD133+ GBM cells revealed characteristics of neuroectoderm-like cells, expressing both radial glial and neural crest cell developmental genes, and portraying a slow-growing, non-differentiated, polarized/migratory, astrogliogenic, and chondrogenic phenotype. These data suggest that at least a subset of treated and recurrent GBM tumors may be seeded by CD133+ GBM cells with neural and mesenchymal properties. The data also imply that CD133+ GBM cells may be clinically indolent/quiescent prior to undergoing proliferative cell division (PCD) to produce CD133− GBM effector progeny. Identifying intrinsic and extrinsic cues, which promote CD133+ GBM cell self-renewal and PCD to support ongoing tumor regeneration may highlight novel therapeutic strategies to greatly diminish the recurrence rate of GBM. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

CD133 is a temporary marker of cancer stem cells in small cell lung cancer, but not in non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Current investigations in the field of cancer research have intensively focused on the 'cancer stem cell' or 'tumor-initiating cell'. While CD133 was initially considered as a stem cell marker only in the hematopoietic system and the nervous system, the membrane antigen also identifies tumorigenic cells in certain solid tumors. In this study, we investigated the human lung cancer cell lines A549, H157, H226, Calu-1, H292 and H446. The results of real-time PCR analysis after chemotherapy drug selection and the fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis showed that CD133 only functioned as a marker in the small cell lung cancer line H446. The sorted CD133+ subset presented stem cell-like features, including self-renewal, differentiation, proliferation and tumorigenic capacity in subsequent assays. Furthermore, a proportion of the CD133+ cells had a tendency to remain stable, which may explain the controversies arising from previous studies. Therefore, the CD133+ subset should provide an enriched source of tumor-initiating cells among H446 cells. Moreover, the antigen could be used as an investigative marker of the tumorigenic process and an effective treatment for small cell lung cancer.     

Epithelial mesenchymal transition correlates with CD24+CD44+ and CD133+ cells in pancreatic cancer

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been linked to induction of a stem-cell like phenotype, characterized by altered cell surface marker expression and increased tumor formation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether EMT correlates with CD24+CD44+ and CD133+ cells in pancreatic cancer. The morphology of untreated and gemcitabine-treated SW1990 gemcitabine-resistant cells and normal SW1990 cells were compared. NF-κB p65 expression was knocked down using siRNA. Vimentin and E-cadherin expression were analyzed using western blotting, and CD24+CD44+, CD133+ cells were quantified by FACS. Additionally, immunohistochemistry of EMT-associated markers and stem cell-associated markers were performed in 41 cases of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In SW1990 gemcitabine-resistant cells, gemcitabine induced a mesenchymal cell phenotype, expression of EMT-related molecular markers and increased CD24+CD44+ and CD133+ cells compared to untreated SW1990 gemcitabine-resistant and SW1990 cells. Knockdown of NF-κB p65 inhibited the ability of gemcitabine to increase the proportion of CD24+CD44+ or CD133+ cells and expression of EMT-related molecular markers. In human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, significant correlations were observed between expression of the EMT-associated markers vimentin and E-cadherin, and stem cell-associated markers CD24, CD133 and CD44. This study demonstrated that EMT correlated with CD24+CD44+ and CD133+ cells in pancreatic cancer. This study also suggests that EMT may induce cancer stem-like cells in pancreatic cancer, with different degrees of EMT probability inducing different proportions of CD24+CD44+ and CD133+ cells.     

Isolation and characterization of proliferative, migratory and multidrug-resistant endometrial carcinoma-initiating cells from human type II endometrial carcinoma cell lines

Although the highly proliferative, migratory and multidrug resistant phenotype of human type?II endometrial carcinoma (EC) is well characterized, improved clinical treatments have not yet been developed. In this study, CD44 and CD133 were used as markers to screen, isolate and enrich carcinoma-initiating cells (CICs) from the human type?II EC cell lines KLE and ANCA3. Using flow cytometry, we identified a subpopulation of KLE and ANCA3 cells which express high levels of both CD44 and CD133 on the cell membrane. CD44+/CD133+ EC-CICs exhibited high levels of stemness marker genes, and possessed a higher migratory and invasive ability than CD44-/CD133- endometrial carcinoma cells (EC-CCs). CD44+/CD133+ EC-CICs were also more resistant to growth inhibition induced by the chemotherapeutic drugs cisplatin and paclitaxel. Additionally, CD44+/CD133+ EC-CICs readily established tumors in?vivo in a relatively short time. In conclusion, CD44+/CD133+ cells possessing the characteristics of CICs can be reliably sorted from KLE and ANCA3 human type?II EC cell lines, and represent a valuable model for studying cancer cell physiology and multidrug resistance. Further characterization of CD44+/CD133+ KLE and ANCA3 cells may have a profound impact on the selection of individual treatment strategies, clinical outcomes and design of the next generation of chemotherapeutic agents for type?II EC.     

Limits of CD133 as a marker of glioma self‐renewing cells

In human gliomas, self‐renewing and tumor‐initiating cells are characterized by the expression marker CD133. Although, widely used, the validity of CD133 is debated as recent data show that CD133⁺ and CD133^? cells share similar stemness and tumorigenic properties. To clarify this “CD133 controversy”, we reexamined the methods of purification and the stem behavior of both CD133 compartments in fresh gliomas and gliomasphere cultures. Using human anti‐CD133‐coupled microbeads and magnetic activated cell sorting, we observed a nonspecific sorting of glioma cells irrespective of their CD133 expression. In contrast, when purified by fluorescence activating cell sorting, a specific expression and enrichment of CD133 was successfully observed in fresh human gliomas and gliomasphere cultures. However, neither the expression of stemness genes nor the long‐term self‐renewal capacities of CD133⁺ and CD133^? cells were significantly different, even after fresh isolation. Altogether, our data show that purification of CD133⁺ glioma cells using hCD133‐microbeads presents a lack of specificity and demonstrate that the use of CD133 as a unique glioma stem cell marker is likely not sufficient to tag the whole self‐renewing tumor cell reservoir. © 2009 UICC