Phenotypic Plasticity of Invasive Edge Glioma Stem-like Cells in Response to Ionizing Radiation

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MiR-146a promotes the asymmetric division and inhibits the self-renewal ability of breast cancer stem-like cells via indirect upregulation of Let-7

MiR-146a could stimulate tumor growth or block tumor proliferation in systemic malignancies, referring to the specific downstream targeted gene. However, its roles in breast cancer stem-like cells (BrCSCs) are barely known. To dig out its mechanistic functions, we explored the indicative roles of miR-146 in preclinical study, regardless of the hormone receptor status, and the positive correlation between miR-146 and better prognosis was proved, as its correlation to Let-7c was. To uncover the implicated mechanisms, we first identified the suppressive role of miR-146a in stem cells’ renewal, which was achieved by promoting the asymmetric division of BrCSCs. Let-7c was previously revealed with its suppressive functions in stem-like cells expansion, and miR-146 was predicated and successfully proved to bind to and degrade the 3’UTR of LIN28, a maturation blocker of Let-7 family. Results further showed that miR-146a increased the Let-7c level through degrading LIN28, and LIN28 inhibition is required for miR-146a induction of asymmetric stem cells’ division. Moreover, Let-7 controlled Wnt signaling pathway activity could be strengthened due to the miR146 inhibition of H19, later of which was often activated in stem cells group with functional existence of Wnt signaling. H19 itself in turn formed the positive feedback regulation with Let-7. Our results suggested the miR-146a/LIN28/Wnt signaling circle in restraining the symmetric cells division, which was specifically referred to the controlling of the small circle of Let-7c and H19, and together, this dual axis could help to prohibit the stem cells expansion.     

溶瘤腺病毒ZD55对类肝癌干细胞的抑制效应

溶瘤腺病毒能够靶向和杀死癌症干细胞,被认为是一种很有前景的抗癌药物.已有研究表明,溶瘤腺病毒ZD55能够靶向肝癌,并且表现出明显的细胞毒性效应.然而,其对肝癌干细胞是否具有同样地杀伤效力仍需进一步探讨.利用悬浮培养富集类肝癌干细胞,并验证其肝癌干细胞的特征.进一步通过MTT、结晶紫染色、Hoechst染色、Western blot和流式细胞术等检测ZD55对类肝癌干细胞的细胞存活率、凋亡诱导和病理效应等.结果发现,悬浮培养的类肝癌干细胞具有自我更新和分化能力、高表达干细胞相关转录因子(如NANOG和OCT4)、处于静息状态和具有耐药性等特性,溶瘤腺病毒处理后表现出明显的细胞毒性效应和杀伤特性,类肝癌干细胞的最低生存率仅为26.7%.ZD55能够非常明显地诱导类肝癌干细胞凋亡,其凋亡率最高达到60%.因此,ZD55可能会成为靶向肝癌干细胞的一种很有前景的治疗药物,对肝癌的临床治疗具有一定的应用价值.     

靶向Wnt信号的溶瘤腺病毒抑制肝癌干细胞研究

肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC)是全球第五大癌症并成为癌症死亡的主要原因,传统治疗早期肝癌取得了一定的进展,但是癌症的复发、转移和耐药仍未得到根本解决,这些现象可通过癌症干细胞理论(cancer stem cell,CSC)进行解释.本研究通过悬浮富集培养的方法,获得了MHCC-97H细胞的三维立体球细胞(sphere cell),并检测其干细胞特性,通过删除5型腺病毒的E1A CR2区域24 bp碱基,并用Wnt活性转录元件TCF/TEF调控E1A基因表达,同时插入抗癌基因TSLC1,得到了双靶向溶瘤腺病毒Ad.wnt-E1A(△24 bp)-TSLC1,通过MTT、结晶紫染色实验、Hoechst、细胞划痕、蛋白质印迹技术、Transwell及免疫荧光技术检测重组病毒对肝癌类干细胞的EMT(epithelial-mesenchymal transition)转化、杀伤、凋亡以及迁移的作用.结果表明,悬浮富集培养的MHCC-97H sphere细胞具有自我更新、分化能力、静息性以及耐药性,高表达肝癌干细胞表面标志物(如CD133等),重组病毒处理后表现出明显的杀伤效果及抑制细胞迁移与侵袭的特性,靶向抑制MHCC-97H sphere细胞能力更强(P0.001),且重组病毒能有效诱导肝癌类干细胞通过caspase途径发生凋亡.因此,重组病毒Ad.wnt-E1A(△24 bp)-TSLC1有可能成为靶向肝癌干细胞的治疗药物,具有一定的临床应用前景.     

Cancer stem cell-like population is preferentially suppressed by EGFR-TKIs in EGFR-mutated PC-9 tumor models

Aims

Although the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Wnt/β-catenin signaling systems synergistically regulate many essential developmental and regenerative processes in lung cancer, the mechanisms of their crosstalk remain poorly defined. Our study aimed to investigate an interaction between EGFR and the β-catenin signal.

Conversion of female germline stem cells from neonatal and prepubertal mice into pluripotent stern cells

Pluripotent stem cells derived from neonatal or adult testes are a useful tool to examine the mechanisms of pluripotency and a resource for cell-based therapies. However, therapies usingthese cells will only benefit males but not females. Recently, female germline stem cells （FGSCs） were discovered in ovaries. Whether FGSCs can be converted into pluripotent stem cells, similar to spermatogonial stem cells, is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that female embryonic stem-like cells （fESLCs） can be generated within 1 month from the stably proliferating FGSCs cultured in embryonic stem cell （ESC） medium, fESLCs exhibit properties similar to those of ESCs in terms of marker expression and differentiation potential. Thus, our findings suggest that generation of patient-specific fESLCs is feasible and provides a foundation for personalized regenerative applications.     

下咽癌放疗抵抗细胞放疗抗性与上皮–间质转化的关系

该文探讨了下咽鳞癌放疗抵抗细胞FaduRR发生放疗抵抗与上皮间质转化(epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT)的关系及可能的机制。课题组前期成功构建了放疗抵抗细胞株FaduRR。平板克隆形成实验、CCK8实验检测放疗抵抗性,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡、细胞划痕和Transwell侵袭迁移实验检测迁移侵袭能力,Western blot和qRT-PCR实验检测蛋白和mRNA的表达。与亲本细胞Fadu相比,FaduRR细胞的放疗敏感性明显降低,X线照射后第4天的存活率明显增高、细胞凋亡率降低、细胞形态呈现上皮间质化的改变、细胞迁移侵袭能力增强、E-cadherin的蛋白和mRNA表达水平显著下调,而N-cadherin、Vimentin、p-Akt、p-GSK-3β、Snail的蛋白和mRNA表达水平显著上调,但Akt和GSK-3β的表达无明显变化。以上结果提示,下咽鳞癌放疗抵抗细胞株FaduRR发生了EMT改变,其机制可能与Akt/GSK-3β/Snail信号通路的激活有关。     

Histological study of stem-like cells in human colon adenocarcinoma at different stages of the disease

Abstract

The presence of stem-like cells in tumors reflects the invasive character of the disease; however, their identification is controversial. We investigated the distribution of CD133, CD44 and CD24 using histological sections and tissue microarrays (TMAs) of human colon adenocarcinoma obtained from patients with and without lymph node metastases and/or liver metastases. Immunohistochemical staining was combined with nuclear staining and evaluated quantitatively using image analysis software. Sections of normal colon mucosa, the primary tumor, lymph node, and liver also were analyzed qualitatively and compared to the quantitative method, which was more accurate. In most tissues, the expression of CD44 and CD24 was relatively low compared to CD133, with some variations. CD133 also was expressed in the normal colon mucosa and to a lesser degree in normal hepatic parenchyma. Liver metastases exhibited significantly greater CD133 staining compared to normal colon mucosa, primary tumor and lymph node metastases. Moreover, lymph node metastases obtained from patients with liver metastases expressed significantly greater CD133 staining than those obtained from patients without liver metastasis. Our data suggest that CD133 expression in lymph node metastases may be of value for prognosis of the disease.     

Brain cancer stem-like cell genesis from p53-deficient mouse astrocytes by oncogenic Ras

Here, we show that H-ras^V12 causes the p53-knockout mouse astrocytes (p53−/− astrocytes) to be transformed into brain cancer stem-like cells. H-ras^V12 triggers the p53−/− astrocytes to express a Nestin and a Cd133, which are expressed in normal and cancer neural stem cells. H-ras^V12 also induces the formation of a single cell-derived neurosphere under neural stem cell culture conditions. Furthermore, H-ras^V12-overexpressing p53−/− astrocytes (p53−/−ast-H-ras^V12) possess an in vitro self-renewal capacity, and are aberrantly differentiated into Tuj1-positve neurons both in vitro and in vivo. Amongst a variety of Ras-mediated canonical signaling pathways, we demonstrated that the MEK/ERK signaling pathway is responsible for neurosphere formation in p53-deficient astrocytes, whereas the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is involved in oncogenic transformation in these cells. These findings suggest that the activation of Ras signaling pathways promotes the generation of brain cancer stem-like cells from p53-deficient mouse astrocytes by changing cell fate and transforming cell properties.     

Radioresistance of Intermediate TCR Cells and Their Localization in the Body of Mice Revealed by Irradiation

Extrathymic generation of T cells in the liver and in the intestine was recently demonstrated. We investigated herein whether such T cells, especially those in the liver, are present in other organs of mice. This investigation is possible employing our recently introduced method with which even a minor proportion of extrathymic, intermediate TCR cells in organs other than the liver can be identified. Intermediate TCR cells expressed higher levels of IL-2Rβ and LFA-1 than bright TCR cells (i.e., T cells of thymic origin) as revealed by two-color staining. Although intermediate TCR cells were present at a small proportion in the spleen and thymus, they predominated in these organs after irradiation (9 Gy) and bone marrow reconstitution, or after low dose irradiation (6 Gy). This was due to that intermediate TCR cells were relatively radioresistant, whereas bright TCR cells were radiosensitive. Microscopic observation and immunochemical staining showed that intermediate TCR cells in the spleen localized in the red pulp and those in the thymus localized in the medulla. These intermediate TCR cells displayed a large light scatter, similar to such cells in the liver. The present results suggest that intermediate TCR cells may proliferate at multiple sites in the body.