scholarly journals LncRNA MONC Suppresses the Malignant Phenotype of Endometrial Cancer Stem Cells by Regulating the MiR-636/GLCE Axis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yibing Li ◽  
Jianing Huo ◽  
Junjian He ◽  
Haining Ma ◽  
Xiaoxin Ma
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Endometrial Cancer ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Suppressive Effect ◽  
Luciferase Assay ◽  
Biological Behavior ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tumor Suppressive Effect

Abstract Background: Emerging evidence shows that abnormal expression of long non-coding RNA is involved in the occurrence and development of various tumors. LncRNA MONC is abnormally expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and acute megakaryocytic leukemia, but the biological function and potential regulatory mechanism of MONC in endometrial cancer stem cells (ECSCs) and endometrial cancer cells (ECCs) have not been studied. In this study, we aimed to explore the tumor suppressive effect and mechanism of MONC in regulating ECSCs and ECCs. Methods: The expression of genes was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The expression of proteins was detected by Western blot. The interplay of LncRNA-miRNA-mRNA was verified using the luciferase assay. The growth rate of ECSC spheroids was detected by sphere formation assay. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. The cell invasion was detected by transwell invasion assay. Cell cycle was detected by Cell cycle analysis.Cell apoptosis was detected by the Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) double-staining assay. Animal study was conducted to evaluate the effect of MONC combined with miR-636 on tumor growth in vivo. Results: Low MONC expression in endometrial carcinoma (EC), which directly inhibits the malignant biological behavior of ECSCs and ECCs by directly inhibiting miR-636. Simultaneously, miR-636 may indirectly reduce the expression of MONC. Down-regulation of miR-636 may promote GLCE expression by targeting the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the downstream gene GLCE, thereby inhibiting the progression of ECSCs. MONC combined with miR-636 inhibited the Notch signaling pathway and tumor epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. In addition, we verified the tumor suppressive effect of MONC in nude mice, miR-636 can rescue the tumor suppressive effect of overexpressing MONC, and this effect is more obvious in ECSC. Conclusion: MONC inhibits the malignant phenotypes of ECSCs and ECCs by regulating the miR-636/GLCE axis. The MONC/miR-636/GLCE axis may provide novel treatment avenues for human EC.

scholarly journals LncRNA MONC suppresses the malignant phenotype of Endometrial Cancer Stem Cells and Endometrial Carcinoma Cells by regulating the MiR-636/GLCE axis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yibing Li ◽  
Jianing Huo ◽  
Junjian He ◽  
xiaoxin Ma
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Endometrial Cancer ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Endometrial Carcinoma ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Suppressive Effect ◽  
Carcinoma Cells ◽  
Biological Behavior ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tumor Suppressive Effect

Abstract Background Emerging evidence shows that abnormal expression of long non-coding RNA is involved in the occurrence and development of various tumors. LncRNA MONC is abnormally expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and acute megakaryocytic leukemia, but the biological function and potential regulatory mechanism of MONC in endometrial cancer stem cells (ECSCs) and endometrial cancer cells (ECCs) have not been studied. Methods We used qRT-PCR to detect the expression of MONC, miR-636 and GLCE in normal human endometrial tissues and endometrial carcinoma tissues. Luciferase assay was used to verify the binding sites between MONC and miR-636 and between miR-636 and GLCE. The double fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to locate MONC and miR-636 in cells. Endometrial cancer stem cells were obtained by Flow cytometry sorting assay. Sphere formation assay, CCK-8 assay, transwell invasion assay, cell cycle analysis and apoptosis assay were used to detect the effects of MONC/miR-636/GLCE axis on the malignant biological behavior of ECSCs and endometrial carcinoma cells (ECCs). The effect of MONC on the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process was detected using western blot. Finally, we conducted in vivo verification through Tumor xenografts in nude mice. Results In this study, we aimed to explore the tumor suppressive effect and mechanism of MONC in regulating ECSCs and ECCs. We found MONC is low expression in endometrial carcinoma (EC), MONC and miR-636 are relatively co-localized in the cytoplasm. MONC directly inhibits the malignant biological behavior of ECSCs and ECCs by directly inhibiting miR-636. Simultaneously, miR-636 may indirectly reduce the expression of MONC. Down-regulation of miR-636 may promote GLCE expression by targeting the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the downstream gene GLCE, thereby inhibiting the progression of ECSCs. MONC combined with miR-636 inhibited tumor epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. In addition, we verified the tumor suppressive effect of MONC in nude mice, miR-636 can rescue the tumor suppressive effect of overexpressing MONC. Conclusions In conclusion, this study shows that MONC inhibits the malignant phenotypes of ECSCs and ECCs by regulating the miR-636/GLCE axis. The MONC/miR-636/GLCE axis may provide novel treatment avenues for human EC.

scholarly journals LncRNA MONC suppresses the malignant phenotype of Endometrial Cancer Stem Cells and Endometrial Carcinoma Cells by regulating the MiR-636/GLCE axis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yibing Li ◽  
Jianing Huo ◽  
Junjian He ◽  
Xiaoxin Ma
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Endometrial Cancer ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Endometrial Carcinoma ◽  
Nude Mice ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Suppressive Effect ◽  
Biological Behavior ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tumor Suppressive Effect

Abstract Background Emerging evidence shows that abnormal expression of long non-coding RNA is involved in the occurrence and development of various tumors. LncRNA MONC is abnormally expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and acute megakaryocytic leukemia, but the biological function and potential regulatory mechanism of MONC in endometrial cancer stem cells (ECSCs) and endometrial cancer cells (ECCs) have not been studied. In this study, we aimed to explore the tumor suppressive effect and mechanism of MONC in regulating ECSCs and ECCs. Methods We used qRT-PCR to detect the expression of MONC, miR-636 and GLCE in normal human endometrial tissues and endometrial carcinoma (EC) tissues. Luciferase assay was used to verify the binding sites between MONC and miR-636 and between miR-636 and GLCE. Double fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to locate MONC and miR-636 in cells. ECSCs were obtained by flow cytometry sorting assay. Sphere formation assay, CCK-8 assay, transwell invasion assay, cell cycle analysis and apoptosis assay were used to detect the effects of MONC/miR-636/GLCE axis on the malignant biological behavior of ECSCs and ECCs. The effect of MONC on the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process was detected using western blot. Finally, we conducted in vivo verification through Tumor xenografts in BALB/C nude mice. Results In this study, we found MONC is low expression in endometrial carcinoma (EC) and patients in the MONC high-expression group had a better prognosis. MONC and miR-636 are relatively co-localized in the cytoplasm. MONC directly inhibits the malignant biological behavior of ECSCs and ECCs by directly inhibiting miR-636. Simultaneously, miR-636 may indirectly reduce the expression of MONC. Down-regulation of miR-636 may promote GLCE expression by targeting the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of the downstream gene GLCE, thereby inhibiting the progression of ECSCs. MONC combined with miR-636 inhibited tumor epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. In addition, we verified the tumor suppressive effect of MONC in nude mice, miR-636 can rescue the tumor suppressive effect of overexpressing MONC. Conclusions In conclusion, this study showed that MONC inhibits the malignant phenotypes of ECSCs and ECCs by regulating the miR-636/GLCE axis. Thus the MONC/miR-636/GLCE axis may provide novel treatment avenues for human EC.

scholarly journals ID: 1023 All-trans retinoic acid targets gastric cancer stem cells and inhibits patient-derived gastric carcinoma tumor growth

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (S) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
P H Nguyen ◽  
J Giraud ◽  
C Staedel ◽  
L Chambonnier ◽  
P Dubus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Gastric Carcinoma ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
3D Culture ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid

Gastric carcinoma is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. This cancer, most of the time metastatic, is essentially treated by surgery associated with conventional chemotherapy, and has a poor prognosis. The existence of cancer stem cells (CSC) expressing CD44 and a high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity has recently been demonstrated in gastric carcinoma and has opened new perspectives to develop targeted therapy. In this study, we evaluated the effects of all-transretinoic acid (ATRA) on CSCs in human gastric carcinoma. ATRA effects were evaluated on the proliferation and tumorigenic properties of gastric carcinoma cells from patient-derived tumors and cell lines in conventional 2D cultures, in 3D culture systems (tumorsphere assay) and in mouse xenograft models. ATRA inhibited both tumorspheres initiation and growth in vitro, which was associated with a cell-cycle arrest through the upregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors and the downregulation of cell-cycle progression activators. More importantly, ATRA downregulated the expression of the CSC markers CD44 and ALDH as well as stemness genes such as Klf4 and Sox2 and induced differentiation of tumorspheres. Finally, 2 weeks of daily ATRA treatment were sufficient to inhibit gastric tumor progression in vivo, which was associated with a decrease in CD44, ALDH1, Ki67 and PCNA expression in the remaining tumor cells. Administration of ATRA appears to be a potent strategy to efficiently inhibit tumor growth and more importantly to target gastric CSCs in both intestinal and diffuse types of gastric carcinoma.

scholarly journals Epigenetic silencing of CDKN1A and CDKN2B by SNHG1 promotes the cell cycle, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bei Li ◽  
Ang Li ◽  
Zhen You ◽  
Jingchang Xu ◽  
Sha Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Luciferase Assay ◽  
Bioinformatics Analyses ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Rna Immunoprecipitation

Abstract Enhanced SNHG1 (small nucleolar RNA host gene 1) expression has been found to play a critical role in the initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with its detailed mechanism largely unknown. In this study, we show that SNHG1 promotes the HCC progression through epigenetically silencing CDKN1A and CDKN2B in the nucleus, and competing with CDK4 mRNA for binding miR-140-5p in the cytoplasm. Using bioinformatics analyses, we found hepatocarcinogenesis is particularly associated with dysregulated expression of SNHG1 and activation of the cell cycle pathway. SNHG1 was upregulated in HCC tissues and cells, and its knockdown significantly inhibited HCC cell cycle, growth, metastasis, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) both in vitro and in vivo. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA immunoprecipitation assays demonstrate that SNHG1 inhibit the transcription of CDKN1A and CDKN2B through enhancing EZH2 mediated-H3K27me3 in the promoter of CDKN1A and CDKN2B, thus resulting in the de-repression of the cell cycle. Dual-luciferase assay and RNA pulldown revealed that SNHG1 promotes the expression of CDK4 by competitively binding to miR-140-5p. In conclusion, we propose that SNHG1 formed a regulatory network to confer an oncogenic function in HCC and SNHG1 may serve as a potential target for HCC diagnosis and treatment.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in serous ovarian carcinoma.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15577-e15577
Author(s):  
Petra M. Bareiss ◽  
Tanja N. Fehm ◽  
Anna Fischer ◽  
Matthias Grauer ◽  
Philipp Kokorsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Ovarian Carcinoma ◽  
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ◽  
Cell Cycle Distribution ◽  
Aldh Activity ◽  
Serous Ovarian Carcinoma ◽  
Aldh1 Expression

e15577 Background: Only specific subpopulations of tumor cells, so called cancer stem cells (CSC) may initiate and maintain tumors. The phenotype and molecular properties of ovarian CSC remain elusive. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity characterizes (cancer) stem cells in different tissues and has been associated with ovarian CSC (Silva et al, 2011; Kryczek et al, 2012). Contradictory results have been reported on ALDH1 expression and prognosis in ovarian carcinoma. In this study, we explore the role of ALDH in serous ovarian carcinoma (SOC). Methods: Aldefluor-staining was used to assess ALDH activity in different ovarian carcinoma cell-lines and patient samples. ALDH+ and ALDH- cells isolated by FACS and ALDH1 versus control siRNA treated cells were analyzed in sphere forming, proliferation, BrdU and cell cycle assays. In vivo tumorigenicity assays including serial re-transplantations were performed in NOD/SCID/IL2Rγnull mice. ALDH1 and Ki67 expression were assessed immunohistochemically on a tissue microarray of 152 SOC samples. Results: ALDH+ cells formed more tumor spheres than ALDH- cells from the OVCAR-3 cell line and primary SOC and larger spheres (> 5.000 µm²) developed solely from ALDH+ cells. However, in vivo both cell fractions gave rise to tumors. Tumors contained both ALDH+ and ALDH- cells irrespective of the starting population. Notably, ALDH+ cells generated tumors more rapidly and induced larger tumors, suggesting a higher proliferative capacity. Immunohistochemical analysis of a larger cohort of SOC patients confirmed association of ALDH1 expression with the proliferation marker Ki67 (p=0.007). Surprisingly, co-stainings revealed that ALDH1 positive cells were mostly Ki67 negative and cell cycle synchronisation experiments using different agents showed ALDH induction in G0-enriched OVCAR-3 cells. However, inhibition of ALDH by treatment with three distinct siRNAs against ALDH1 did not alter cell cycle distribution. Conclusions: Our data suggest that ALDH is a correlative marker indicating, but not actively sustaining a quiescent stem-cell like state in SOC. Upon exit from G0, ALDH+ cells lose ALDH expression and induce a proliferative response.

Targeting the androgen receptor as a novel therapeutic strategy for high-grade gliomas by suppressing glioma cancer stem cells.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e13504-e13504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Zhao ◽  
Shaheen Ahmed ◽  
Fei Wang ◽  
DiMaio J Dominick ◽  
Chi Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Proliferation Assay ◽  
Cell Proliferation Assay ◽  
Expression Levels

e13504 Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and most common type of primary brain malignancies with median overall survival being only 20.9 months. The incidence of GBM is 50% greater in men than in women, and GBM transplanted into animals grow at a slower rate in females compared with males. Gender difference in GBM indicates that sex hormones such as androgen receptor (AR) may be involved in the tumorigenesis of GBM. A newer generation of AR antagonist, Enzalutamide, is available for prostate cancer treatment in clinic and can pass the blood-brain barrier, thus a good candidate for GBM treatment. Methods: Cell proliferation assay, cell cycle analysis, and cell apoptosis assay were performed on different GBM cell lines after Enzalutamide treatment. After treating GBM cells with or without Enzalutamide in mono-layer cell culturing or tumor spheres, cancer stem cell sub-population (CD133+ cells) in different groups was compared using flow cytometry. After enriching GBM cancer stem cells by sorting CD133+ U87MG cells out, cell proliferation assay was performed on CD133+ U87MG cells. Western blotting was performed comparing marker gene expression levels including CD133 and c-Myc with total protein isolated from GBM cells treated with Enzalutamide at different time points. A syngeneic orthotopic GBM mouse model was used for in vivo study. The size of tumors in the brain was monitored weekly with and without Enzalutamide treatment by in vivo imaging system for the luciferase activities. Results: Enzalutamide inhibited the proliferation of GBM cells both in vitro and in vivo. Enzalutamide induced apoptosis of GBM cells as well as arrested the cell cycle at G2/M phase in a cell cycle that has a potential of radio-sensitizing effect. Enzalutamide decreased the cancer stem cells population both in cultured mono-layer cells and in tumor spheres. Enzalutamide inhibited the proliferation of CD133+ U87MG cells after four days’ treatment. c-Myc is a proto-oncogene and required for maintenance of GBM cancer stem cells. Both CD133 and c-Myc expression levels decreased in GBM cell lines after Enzalutamide treatment in a time-dependent manner. Conclusions: Enzalutamide targets cancer stem cells and inhibits the proliferation of GBM.

scholarly journals High B3GALT5 expression confers poor clinical outcome and contributes to tumor progression and metastasis in breast cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Mei Liao ◽  
Ya-Hui Wang ◽  
Jung-Tung Hung ◽  
Yu-Ju Lin ◽  
Yen-Lin Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Migration ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Abstract Background Existence of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) is implicated in disease relapse, metastasis, and resistance of treatment. β1,3-Galactosyltransferase 5 (B3GALT5) has been shown to be a pro-survival marker for BCSCs. However, little is known about the prognostic significance of B3GALT5 in breast cancer. Methods Paired tissues (tumor part and adjacent non-tumor part) from a cohort of 202 women with breast cancer were used to determine the expression levels of B3GALT5 mRNA by qRT-PCR. Kaplan–Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess survival differences in terms of relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Both breast cancer cells and cancer stem cells (BCSCs) were used to see the in vitro effects of knockdown or overexpression of B3GALT5 on cell migration, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). A patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model was used to see the in vivo effects of knockdown of B3GALT5 in BCSCs on tumor growth and metastasis. Results Higher expression of B3GALT5 in 202 breast cancer tissues, especially in adjacent non-tumor tissue, correlated with poor clinical outcomes including shorter OS and RFS in all patients, especially those with early stage breast cancer. In vitro studies showed B3GALT5 could enhance cell migration, invasion, mammosphere formation, and EMT. Of note, B3GALT5 upregulated the expression of β-catenin and EMT activator zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) pathway in BCSCs. In vivo studies showed B3GALT5 expression in BCSCs is critical for not only tumor growth but also lymph node and lung metastasis in PDX mice. Conclusion Our results demonstrated the value of B3GALT5 as a prognostic marker of breast cancer, especially among the early stage patients, and its crucial roles in regulating EMT, cell migration, and stemness thereby promoting breast cancer progression.

scholarly journals Effect of CD44 knockdown on the biological characteristics of breast cancer stem cells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi Lei ◽  
Yang-Li Hu ◽  
Qiang Feng ◽  
Li Wang ◽  
Xin-Yan Pan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cell ◽  
Biological Characteristics ◽  
Breast Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Transcript Variants

Abstract Background: CD44 is an important surface marker of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), but it is unclear whether it is involved in the stemness of BCSCs. This has limited the development of new therapeutic strategies for breast cancer. Previous studies have shown that many CD44 variants generated through alternative splicing are involved in the development of breast cancer, but their exact role in BCSCs remains unclear. Therefore, we analyzed the CD44 transcript variants in BCSCs derived from the MDA-MB-435 cell line, and aimed to investigate whether CD44s knockdown could affect the biological characteristics of BCSCs.Methods: CD44+/CD24- cells were isolated among the MDA-MB-435 cells by flow cytometry, and the CD44 transcript variants were detected by RT-PCR in CD44+/CD24- cells. Due to the high expression of CD44 standard splice isoform (CD44s) in CD44+/CD24- cells, CD44s knockdown was generated using small hairpin RNA (shRNA). The effects of CD44s knockdown on the biological characteristics of BCSCs was detected using cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, cell cycle and apoptosis assay, tumor sphere formation assay, would-healing assay, and Matrigel invasion assay. Tumorigenesis of the CD44+/CD24- cells with CD44s knockdown was investigated in vivo with NOD/SCID mice. The expression of cancer stem cell stemness-related genes, such as Bcl-2, CCNE2, EGFR, MMP7, Muc1, and Myc was also detected by qPCR.Results: Our results revealed that the mRNA expression of CD44 transcript variants was heterogeneous, and CD44s is highly expressed in BCSCs. CD44s depletion inhibited the proliferation, made cell cycle stay in G0/G1 phase, promoted the apoptosis and necrosis of BCSCs, inhibited the ability of self-renewal and invasion along with the expression of cancer stem cell-related genes in BCSCs. Moreover, CD44s knockdown inhibited the tumorigenesis ability in vivo.Conclusion: Our findings revealed that CD44s is the predominant isoform expressed in BCSCs, and is an important molecule for maintaining the properties of BCSCs. Targeting CD44s in BCSCs may be a potential new direction for breast cancer treatment.

scholarly journals Immune-Induced Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition In vivo Generates Breast Cancer Stem Cells

2009 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 2887-2895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Santisteban ◽  
Jennifer M. Reiman ◽  
Michael K. Asiedu ◽  
Marshall D. Behrens ◽  
Aziza Nassar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Breast Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

scholarly journals Lgr5+CD44+EpCAM+ Strictly Defines Cancer Stem Cells in Human Colorectal Cancer

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 860-872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengwei Leng ◽  
Qinghua Xia ◽  
Jinhuang Chen ◽  
Yong Li ◽  
Jiqian Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Colony Formation ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tumor Xenograft ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Background/Aims: Although EpCAM+CD44+ cells exhibit more stem-like properties than did EpCAM-CD44- cells, the specificity of EpCAM combined with CD44 in defining CSCs needs further improvement. Lgr5 is used as a biomarker to isolate cancer stem cells (CSCs) in colorectal cancer. However, it remains unclear whether Lgr5, along with EpCAM and CD44, can further identify and define CSCs in colorectal cancer. Methods: Lgr5+CD44+EpCAM+, Lgr5+CD44+EpCAM-, Lgr5+CD44-EpCAM+, Lgr5-CD44+EpCAM+, and Lgr5-CD44-EpCAM-cells were separately isolated using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Colony formation, self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenic properties of these cells were investigated through in vitro experiments and in vivo tumor xenograft models. The expression of stemness genes and CSC- and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes, such as KLF4, Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, CD133, CD44, CD166, ALDH1, Lgr5, E-cadherin, ZO-1, Vimentin, Snail, Slug, and Twist, was examined using real-time PCR. Results: Lgr5-positive subpopulations exhibited higher capacities for colony formation, self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenicity as well as higher expression of stemness genes and mesenchymal genes and lower expression of epithelial genes than did Lgr5-negative subpopulations. Conclusion: Our data revealed that tumorigenic cells were highly restricted to Lgr5-positive subpopulations. Most importantly, Lgr5+CD44+EpCAM+ cells exhibited more pronounced CSC-like traits than did any other subpopulation, indicating that Lgr5 combined with CD44 and EpCAM can further improve the stem-like traits of CSCs in colorectal cancer.

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