肿瘤干细胞标记物CD133与miR-429在大肠癌组织中的表达及其相关性研究

目的：检测CD133不同亚群大肠癌细胞HT-29的miR-429表达情况,探讨miR-429及CD133的表达与肿瘤的发生发展之间的关系。方法：采用荧光活化细胞分选法（FACS）分选出CD133不同亚群细胞,实时荧光定量PCR分别检测两组细胞miR-429的表达,合成miR-429寡核苷酸和阴性对照miRNA并分别转染CD133＋和CD133＋两个亚群细胞。再将细胞种植于非肥胖糖尿病／严重联合免疫缺陷（NOD／SCID）小鼠体内构建移植瘤模型,不同时间测量肿瘤体积和重量,RT—PCR及蛋白质印迹检测CD133＋和CD133＋两组肿瘤CD133mRNA和蛋白质表达。结果：血清检出CD133＋细胞为67．9％,miR-429的表达量是CD133＋细胞的（1．83±0．91）倍（P〈0．05）,CD133＋比例与miR-429表达呈负相关（r=0．591,P〈0．05）;miR-429＋／CD133＋组的移植瘤体积及重量与对照组比较有统计学差异（P〈0．05）,且miR-429＋/CD133＋组成瘤时间较对照组晚约2周,但miR-429＋/CD133＋组的移植瘤CD133表达量低,与阴性对照组比较无明显差异（P〉0．05）。结论：miR-429可能作为CD133的负性调控因子,具有抑制肿瘤生长的作用,但miR-429与CD133在肿瘤发生、发展过程中的作用机制有待进一步研究阐明。     

miR-429对乳腺癌干细胞干性维持和体内成瘤能力的影响

目的:探究miR-429在乳腺癌干性维持中所发挥的作用,并探索miR-429对乳腺癌干细胞体内成瘤能力的影响。方法:无血清悬浮培养法用于培养经流式细胞仪分选得到的CD44~+CD24~-表型乳腺癌细胞系干细胞MCF-7-S、SKBR3-S、MDA-MB-231-S及乳腺正常上皮干细胞MCF-10A-S,实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(qRT-PCR)用于检测miR-429在上述4株干细胞中的表达。将包含miR-429的重组慢病毒质粒及其阴性对照空载体质粒vector分别以病毒:细胞数量为15:1的比例感染MDA-MB-231细胞,经2.0μg/m L嘌呤霉素筛选,成功构建稳定表达miR-429或vector的MDA-MB-231细胞,经流式分选出上述两株稳转细胞株的CD44~+CD24~-表型干细胞MDA-MB-231-Svector和MDA-MB-231-SmiR-429。无血清悬浮培养后,镜下观察过表达miR-429对肿瘤球形成能力的影响,流式细胞术检测过表达miR-429对CD44~+CD24~-表型细胞亚群比例的影响,Western Blot检测过表达miR-429对乳腺癌干细胞干性相关因子ALDH1、SOX2和Bmi1蛋白表达的影响,将MDA-MB-231-Svector和MDA-MB-231-SmiR-429干细胞分别注射到BALB/c裸鼠右侧胸壁第二对乳腺脂肪垫中,构建乳腺癌干细胞裸鼠移植瘤模型,观察过表达miR-429对裸鼠体内成瘤能力的影响。结果:与MCF-10A-S相比,miR-429在MCF-7-S、SKBR3-S和MDA-MB-231-S细胞系中的表达水平均异常降低,其中,miR-429在MDA-MB-231-S细胞中表达最低(P0.05)。与MDA-MB-231-Svector细胞相比,经流式分选后的CD44~+CD24~-表型MDA-MB-231-SmiR-429干细胞形成的肿瘤球的大小和数量、分选时CD44~+CD24~-表型细胞亚群的比例、ALDH1、SOX2和Bmi1的蛋白表达水平以及裸鼠体内成瘤的体积和重量均显著降低(P0.05)。结论:miR-429可降低乳腺癌干细胞的干性和体内成瘤能力,其可能是抑制乳腺癌转移和耐药的关键分子。     

人喉癌细胞系Hep-2 中CD133 阳性肿瘤干细胞的分离及意义

目的:研究喉癌细胞系Hep-2中CD133的表达;比较CD133~+细胞、未分选细胞、CD133~-细胞的体外增殖、克隆形成能力及其在裸鼠体内的成瘤能力;探讨喉癌肝细胞对化疗药物顺铂(cisplatin,DDP)的抵抗作用。方法:采用流式细胞仪检测CD133在Hep-2细胞系中的表达;免疫磁珠分选技术纯化CD133阳性肿瘤细胞;使用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法和平板克隆形成实验检测分选所得各细胞亚群细胞以及未分选细胞的体外增殖能力和克隆形成能力;将CD133阳性肿瘤细胞和CD133阴性肿瘤细胞以一定的数量级注入重症联合免疫缺陷小鼠腹部皮下,比较其成瘤差异性;此外,使用DDP干预分选所得各细胞亚群细胞,检测比较CD133阳性肿瘤细胞和CD133阴性肿瘤细胞的体外增殖能力与体内成瘤能力。结果:流式细胞仪示CD133在Hep-2细胞系中呈微量恒定表达,表达概率为40.12±1.32%;CD133阳性肿瘤细胞的体外增殖能力显著强于CD133阴性肿瘤细胞的增殖能力(P0.05),且其克隆形成能力也强于CD133阴性肿瘤细胞;体内成瘤实验结果显示CD133阳性肿瘤细胞较CD133阴性细胞、未分选细胞在重症联合免疫缺陷小鼠体内具有更强的成瘤性(P0.05);在DDP的干预下,相对于CD133阴性肿瘤细胞,CD133阳性肿瘤细胞表现出更强的抵抗力。结论:喉癌Hep-2细胞系中,CD133阳性癌细胞具有强的体外增殖能力、体内成瘤能力且对化疗药物具有较强的抵抗性,可作为喉癌肿瘤干细胞的标志之一。     

肺癌患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群水平的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨肺癌患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群水平的表达及临床意义。方法:选择2016年3月~2017年3月期间我院收治的88例肺癌患者作为研究组,选择同期于我院进行健康体检的88例受检者作为对照组。两组研究对象均通过流式细胞仪检测外周血T淋巴细胞亚群水平。观察对比两组研究对象外周血T淋巴细胞亚群的表达水平,以及研究组不同临床病理特征患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群的表达水平。结果:研究组CD4~+/CD8~+、CD4~+、CD3~+表达水平均低于对照组,CD8~+表达水平高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。研究组Ⅲ期与Ⅳ期患者CD4~+/CD8~+、CD4~+、CD3~+表达水平均低于Ⅰ期与Ⅱ期,Ⅲ期与Ⅳ期患者CD8~+表达水平高于Ⅰ期与Ⅱ期(P0.05);小细胞肺癌患者CD4~+/CD8~+、CD4~+、CD3~+表达水平均低于非小细胞肺癌患者,CD8~+表达水平高于非小细胞肺癌患者,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。不同性别、年龄、肿瘤分化程度肺癌患者CD4~+/CD8~+、CD8~+、CD4~+、CD3~+水平无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:肺癌患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群水平的表达呈现异常状态,且表达水平与疾病的分期和病理分型有关。     

磁珠分选HepG2细胞系中CD44~+及其生物学特性

背景:肝癌肿瘤干细胞被认为肝癌增值、侵袭、浸润的关键细胞。目的:研究人肝癌Hep G2细胞系CD44+细胞的分化、增值及小鼠模型致瘤性等生物学特性。方法:磁珠分选Hep G2细胞系中的CD44+和CD44-细胞亚群;微球形成实验检测两亚群细胞的干细胞特性及增殖能力;移植种瘤实验检测两亚群细胞致瘤性和恶性程度的差异。结果及结论:微球形成实验表明CD44+细胞具有干细胞特性;移植瘤致瘤性实验表明CD44+的致瘤率高,恶性程度高。提示HEPG2细胞系中存在具有增殖、多向分化与体内致瘤能力的CD44+细胞,CD44+细胞是符合肿瘤干细胞定义的细胞亚群。     

非小细胞肺癌患者化疗前后外周血T淋巴细胞亚群的变化

目的:探讨非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者细胞化疗前后T淋巴细胞亚群的变化及其意义.方法:采用流式细胞术检测NSCLC患者及健康对照者外周血中CD3+、CD4+、CD8+、CD4+/CD8+及NK细胞的比例.结果:与对照组比较,NSCLC患者化疗前及化疗后CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+、NK细胞含量均显著降低(P＜0.01);化疗后CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+、NK细胞比例与化疗前比较均显著升高(P＜0.05);化疗前后CD8+细胞比例无显著变化(P＞0.05).治疗后疾病控制组(DCR)患者的CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+及NK细胞均显著高于治疗后进展(PD)组患者组(P＜0.05);CD8+细胞的比例无显著性变化(P＞0.05).结论:NSCLC患者细胞免疫功能低下,通过流式细胞术检测患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群及NK细胞的变化对评估患者的细胞免疫功能及肿瘤化疗疗效具有重要的临床意义.     

DC荷载α-GalCer对小鼠HepS肝癌的抑制作用

目的:研究树突状细胞(DC)荷载α-半乳糖神经酰胺(α-Gal Cer)作为自然杀伤T细胞(NKT)刺激物对原发性肝癌Heps荷瘤小鼠的抑制作用。方法:建立小鼠Hep S肝癌移植瘤模型,随机分为3组,对照组(NS对照组)、树突状细胞组(DC组)、DC荷载α-半乳糖神经酰胺组(DC+α-Gal Cer组),每组10只。分别给予尾静脉注射DC、荷载α-Gal Cer的DC4×106/m L,对照组给予同体积的NS,隔天给药1次,共3次。各组于干预后2周取眼球血,用流式细胞术(FCM)检测小鼠外周血CD4+T细胞及CD8+T细胞含量变化。取肿瘤组织,称取各瘤体重量,计算抑瘤率。免疫组化染色比较各组瘤体细胞内Bax凋亡蛋白;Westem blot法检测各组移植瘤组织内Bax的表达。结果:DC荷载α-Gal Cer组CD4+T细胞及CD8+T细胞数较DC组及对照组明显升高(P0.05),DC组较对照组有上升趋势,但差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。DC荷载α-Gal Cer组平均瘤体重量较对照组及DC组均显著减轻(P0.05),DC组与对照组平均瘤重无明显变化(P0.05)。与NS组及DC组相比,DC荷载α-Gal Cer组移植瘤内Bax阳性细胞数量及Western blot表达量明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);DC组与NS组之间无明显差异(P0.05)。结论:DC荷载α-Gal Cer可活化NKT细胞,激活外周血抗肿瘤免疫细胞杀伤肿瘤,抑制小鼠肝癌移植瘤的生长。     

过表达miR-153非小细胞肺癌细胞稳转株的构建及鉴定

目的:构建过表达miR-153的非小细胞肺癌的稳转细胞株,为进一步探讨miR-153在肺癌发生发展中的作用奠定基础。方法:构建具有嘌呤霉素抗性的miR-153慢病毒载体;体外培养非小细胞肺癌细胞系SPC-A-1和A549,加入浓度梯度的嘌呤霉素溶液,筛选出最佳浓度;使用慢病毒转染细胞株,并在转染72 h后用荧光显微镜检测绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)的表达,评价转染效率;体外实验使用PCR检测miR-153在稳转株的表达;稳转株移植裸鼠体内成瘤,取出瘤体后检测瘤体内EGFP和miR-153的表达。结果:完成过表达miR-153慢病毒载体及阴性对照载体的构建;确定嘌呤霉素最佳筛选浓度:在SPC-A-1细胞中的浓度为2.0 g/mL,A549细胞中的浓度为3.0 g/mL;目的基因miR-153被慢病毒成功导入SPC-A-1细胞和A549细胞中,荧光显微镜下能直接观察到EGFP。转染miR-153组和阴性对照组的PCR实验结果显示:在SPC-A-1细胞中,miR-153的表达量为92.9±20.6,明显高于阴性对照组(P=0.016);在A549细胞中,miR-153的表达量为2624.6±153.4,显著高于阴性对照组(P0.001)。稳转株能在裸鼠体内形成移植瘤,瘤体内明显有EGFP的表达;与阴性对照组的瘤体相比,移植瘤组miR-153的表达量为显著上调(P=0.048)。结论:成功构建过表达miR-153的非小细胞肺癌的稳转细胞株。     

不同临床类型乙型病毒感染者外周血T 细胞亚群与血清HBV DNA 载量 及HBeAg 滴度相关性分析

目的:探讨慢性乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染患者外周血T细胞亚群与血清HBV DNA载量及HbeAg滴度的关系。方法:选取103名HBV感染患者和20名健康者为研究对象。流式细胞术检测外周血T细胞亚群,聚合酶链式反应及酶免疫分析法分别检测血清HBV DNA载量及HbeAg滴度。结果:慢性乙型肝炎患者和慢性HBV携带者外周血CD3+T、CD4+T淋巴细胞亚群百分数低于健康对照组,结果有统计学意义(P<0.05或0.01;而CD8+T细胞亚群则呈现相反趋势,结果亦有统计学意义(P<0.05或0.01)。HBeAg阴性组中,HBVDNA水平与CD8+T细胞亚群百分数呈正相关(r=0.567,P<0.01),与CD4+/CD8+T细胞亚群百分数比值呈负相关(r=-0.601,P<0.01),而与CD3+T、CD4+T细胞亚群百分数无相关性。HBeAg阳性组中,HBV DNA水平及HbeAg滴度与CD3+T、CD4+T、CD8+T细胞百分数及CD4+/CD8+T细胞百分数均无相关性(P>0.05)。结论:不同临床类型的慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染患者外周血T细胞亚群存在不同程度细胞免疫功能降低和细胞免疫调节异常。HbeAg阴性的HBV感染患者,其血清HBV DNA水平与外周血T淋巴细胞免疫存在相关性。     

原发性胆汁性肝硬化患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群的检测及其意义

目的:检测原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群,探讨其与PBC发病的关系.方法:采用流式细胞术检测PBC患者及正常人外周血中CD3+、CD3+ CD4+、CD3+CD8+、CD4/CD8、CD3-CD 16+/CD56+、CD3+HLA-DR+细胞水平.结果:与对照组比较,PBC组CD3+CD8+、CD3+HLA-DR+细胞百分比明显减低(P＜0.05),CD3-CD 19+、CD3-CD 16+/56+细胞、CD4+/CD8+明显增高(P＜0.05),CD3+、CD3+CD4+细胞均有所升高,但无显著性差异(P＞0.05).结论:PBC患者存在免疫功能紊乱.T淋巴细胞亚群的改变和NK细胞比例减少,导致B细胞功能亢进,产生多种自身抗体,在PBC的发病机理中起重要作用.     

miR-155-TP53INP1调节轴在结直肠癌化疗药物敏感性中的作用机制

摘要 目的：初步揭示miR-155通过靶向调节TP53INP1表达水平影响结直肠癌细胞对5-FU化疗敏感性。方法：将人结肠直肠癌细胞系HCT116进行培养,提取细胞总RNA后,采用miR-155逆转录特异性引物构建反转录体系进行PCR扩增,通过qRT-PCR检测miR-155在5-FU耐药细胞HCT116/FU及敏感细胞株HCT116中的表达情况;取对数生长期细胞,分别转染miR-155mimics、miR-155抑制剂、miR-155阴性对照后,采用CCK-8法检测miR-155对细胞5-FU药物敏感性的影响,双荧光素酶报告基因系统验证miR-155与TP53INP1的靶基因关系,Western blot检测miR-155对 TP53INP1表达的影响。结果：miR-155在HCT116 /Fu细胞中的表达量是HCT116细胞的7.25倍;在相同5-FU浓度时,HCT116+阴性对照的细胞生长抑制率均高于HCT116+mimics、半数抑制浓度显著低于HCT116+mimics,差异均具有统计学意义(P＜0.05);TP53INP1是miR-155的靶基因,能显著降低野生型TP53INP1 3''-UTR的荧光素酶活性;转染miR-155 mimics后,TP53INP1的相对表达量显著下降,转染miR-155抑制剂后,TP53INP1的相对表达量显著升高,差异均具有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。结论：miR-155水平升高使HCT116细胞对5-FU的敏感性降低,miR-155可能通过靶向调节TP53INP1的表达水平,从而影响结直肠癌细胞对5-FU的敏感性。     

Comparison of the Efficacy of Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells (MNCs) and CD34+ Cells for the Treatment of Neonatal Mice with Cerebral Palsy

To compare the efficacy of cord blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) and CD34+ cells for the treatment of neonatal mice models with cerebral palsy (CP). CP model in neonatal mice was established by the ligation of carotid artery. Mice were randomly designated into MNCs group, CD34+ group, model group and control group (30 mice per group). MNCs and CD34+ cells were isolated from human umbilical cord blood. MNCs were transplanted into mice in the MNCs group and CD34+ cells into mice in the CD34+ group through the jugular vein, respectively. The body weight, histopathology, apoptosis-related gene expression, learning and memory, and motor function of mice in the four groups were compared. Compared with control group, the body weight of mice in model group was significantly lower (P < 0.05). In addition, the right hemisphere was significantly liquefied and voids were found in model mice, in which degeneration and necrosis were found by HE staining. Real-time quantitative fluorescent PCR showed elevated levels of apoptosis-related gene expression and learning and memory function, and motor function were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in model mice. In the MNCs group and CD34+ group, the weight of mice was significantly increased compared with the model group (P < 0.05). Moreover, neither liquefaction and voids in the hemispheres of mice were found in these two groups, nor degeneration and necrosis of cell. Meanwhile, levels of apoptosis-related gene expression were significantly lower than that of the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the MNCs group, the expression of apoptotic gene TNF-α and CD40 was significantly lower (P < 0.05). Learning and memory function, and motor function of mice in the MNCs group and CD34+ group were significantly improved than the model group (P < 0.05), and the CD34+ group produced greater improvement than the MNCs group (P < 0.05). MNCs and CD34+ cells can reduce the degree of injury in the neonatal mice with CP. In addition, treatment with MNCs and CD34+ cells suppressed apoptotic gene expression and restored memory and motor function. The efficacy of CD34+ cells after separation and purification was more significant for the treatment of mice with CP.     

Differential effects of mesenchymal stem cells on a heterogeneous cell population within lung cancer cell lines

Although mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) promote lung cancer growth in vivo, in vitro studies indicate that they inhibit the proliferation of lung cancer cells. Because malignant tumors contain a heterogeneous cell population with variable capacity for self-renewal, the aim of this study was to determine whether the inconsistencies between in vitro and in vivo studies are a result of differential effects of MSCs on the heterogeneous cell population within lung cancer cell lines. Human MSCs were isolated from the bone marrow, and their cell surface antigen expression and multi-lineage differentiation capacity was examined at passage 10. CD133+ cells were isolated from A549 and H446 cell lines using immunomagnetic separation. The effects of MSCs on the growth and microsphere formation of heterogeneous cell populations within two lung cancer cell lines (A549 and H446) were compared. MSCs inhibited the in vitro proliferation of both cell lines, but significantly accelerated tumor formation and stimulated tumor growth in vivo (P < 0.05). In CD133+ cells isolated from both A549 and H446 cells, co-culture with MSCs for 1–3 days significantly increased their proliferation (P < 0.05). MSCs also significantly increased microsphere formation in both cell lines (P < 0.05). Selective stimulation of CD133+ cell growth may account for the discrepant effects of MSCs on lung cancer progression.     

三叶青黄酮对荷Lewis肺癌小鼠免疫功能及肿瘤组织凋亡相关蛋白的影响

探索三叶青黄酮对荷Lewis肺癌小鼠免疫功能及肿瘤组织凋亡相关蛋白的影响。将60只小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、三叶青黄酮高、中、低剂量组(100、50、25 mg/mL)各10只。连续干预14天后,检测各组胸腺指数、脾脏指数、移植瘤组织凋亡及凋亡相关蛋白表达,检测外周血调节性T细胞(Treg)比例。结果显示,与模型组比,三叶青黄酮高中剂量组胸腺指数、脾脏指数和移植瘤组织凋亡率升高(P<0.05),凋亡相关蛋白表达升高(P<0.05),外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞所占比例降低(P<0.05)。综上,三叶青黄酮可降低荷Lewis肺癌小鼠Treg细胞比例,提高免疫功能,诱导移植瘤组织凋亡。     

CD47 在急性白血病干细胞中的表达及其对临床疗效及预后的影响

目的:探讨CD47在急性白血病患者骨髓白血病细胞的表达及其临床意义。方法:选择2013年5月-2015年5月在我院确诊的急性白血病患者101例作为研究对象,其中急性淋巴细胞白血病50例(ALL组),急性髓系白血病51例(AML组)。另选取同期在我院接受体检的健康志愿者39例作为对照组。采用流式细胞仪检测白血病细胞表面CD47的表达情况,并分析CD47表达与急性白血病患者临床疗效及复发情况的关系。结果:急性白血病患者白血病细胞CD47的阳性表达率明显高于健康对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);而ALL组与AML组患者白血病细胞CD47的阳性表达率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);CD47阴性表达的急性白血病患者CR率显著高于阳性表达者,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);ALL组和AML组CD47阴性表达患者CR率显著高于CD47阳性表达患者,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),但两组之间比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);CD47阳性表达的急性白血病患者复发率显著高于阴性表达患者,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);ALL组和AML组CD47表达阳性患者复发率明显高于阴性患者,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),但两组之间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:急性白血病患者白血病细胞表面CD47的表达异常升高,且与白血病患者的疗效和预后有关,CD47可能作为一种急性白血病的诊断及疗效和预后的辅助评估指标。     

The most reliable surface marker for the identification of colorectal cancer stem-like cells: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Several surface markers have been proposed for the identification and characterization of colorectal cancer stem-like cells (CR-CSLCs). However, their reliability in CR-CSLCs identification remains controversial. This study evaluated the correlation between all candidate surface marker's expression and CSLCs properties (tumorigenicity) through monitoring in vivo tumor incidence and final tumor volume. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were systematically searched until November 2017. A total of 27 studies were found that met the inclusion criteria for cluster of differentiation 133 (CD133) and CD44 markers. Results indicated that either CD133 or CD44 positive cells caused about twofold increase in tumor volume compared with the negative cells (p < 0.05). In two groups of cells derived from primary tumors and cell lines, CD133 ⁺ cells had 25 and 1.45 times higher tumor incidence potential than CD133 ⁻ cells, respectively ( p < 0.05). Also, cohort evaluation showed that CD133 overexpression at protein level is a marker of poor overall survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. While CD44 ⁺ cells displayed twofold tumorigenicity compared with the negative cells ( p < 0.05), combination of CD44 and CD133 showed about sevenfold tumorigenicity potential ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, the present meta-analysis suggests that CD133 is a robust biomarker to identify primary tumor CSLCs and can be proposed as a prognostic marker of CRC patient whereas it should be used with caution in cell lines. It seems to be more reliable to use CD133 in combination with CD44 as target biomarkers for the isolation of CR-CSLCs in both cell line and primary tumor cells populations.     

miR-130b Promotes CD133(+) liver tumor-initiating cell growth and self-renewal via tumor protein 53-induced nuclear protein 1

A novel paradigm in tumor biology suggests that cancer growth is driven by stem-like cells within a tumor, called tumor-initiating cells (TICs) or cancer stem cells (CSCs). Here we describe the identification and characterization of such cells from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using the marker CD133. CD133 accounts for approximately 1.3%-13.6% of the cells in the bulk tumor of human primary HCC samples. When compared with their CD133? counterparts, CD133(+) cells not only possess the preferential ability to form undifferentiated tumor spheroids in vitro but also express an enhanced level of stem cell-associated genes, have a greater ability to form tumors when implanted orthotopically in immunodeficient mice, and can be serially passaged into secondary animal recipients. Xenografts resemble the original human tumor and maintain a similar percentage of tumorigenic CD133(+) cells. Quantitative PCR analysis of 41 separate HCC tissue specimens with follow-up data found that CD133(+) tumor cells were frequently detected at low quantities in HCC, and their presence was also associated with worse overall survival and higher recurrence rates. Subsequent differential microRNA expression profiling of CD133(+) and CD133? cells from human HCC clinical specimens and cell lines identified an overexpression of miR-130b in CD133(+) TICs. Functional studies on miR-130b lentiviral-transduced CD133? cells demonstrated superior resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, enhanced tumorigenicity in vivo, and a greater potential for self renewal. Conversely, antagonizing miR-130b in CD133(+) TICs yielded an opposing effect. The increased miR-130b paralleled the reduced TP53INP1, a known miR-130b target. Silencing TP53INP1 in CD133? cells enhanced both self renewal and tumorigenicity in vivo. Collectively, miR-130b regulates CD133(+) liver TICs, in part, via silencing TP53INP1.