Human colorectal CD24+ cancer stem cells are susceptible to epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Int J Oncol. 2014 Aug;45(2):575-80. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2462. Epub 2014 May 23.

Abstract

Conventional cancer chemotherapy preferentially destroys non-stem cancer cells within a tumor, and a subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is more resistant and survives, leading to relapses and metastasis. Howeve, recent studies suggest that CD24 and susceptibility to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) can serve as markers of CSCs. We report that CD24(+) cells are susceptible to induction of EMT, a phenotype important for cancer metastasis. We studied the responsiveness of CSC markers to TGF-β , an effective EMT inducer. The data on CD24 demonstrated that CD24(+) cells are susceptible to EMT, a phenotype important for cancer metastasis in two colorectal cancer cell lines, the CaR-1 and CCK81. CD24(+) cells expressed Notch 1 in response to exposure to TGF-β in culture and showed higher tumorigenic activity compared to controls. This evidence shows that CD24(+) cells are susceptible to EMT induction and to cancer progression and is indicative of the candidacy of CD24 as a therapeutic target in CSC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD24 Antigen / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / physiology*
  • Heterografts
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, SCID
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / pharmacology

Substances

  • CD24 Antigen
  • CD24 protein, human
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta