Differential expression of CD44 and CD24 markers discriminates the epitheliod from the fibroblastoid subset in a sarcomatoid renal carcinoma cell line: evidence suggesting the existence of cancer stem cells in both subsets as studied with sorted cells

作者：Hsieh Chin Hsuan; Hsiung Shih Chieh; Yeh Chi Tai; Yen Chih Feng; Chou Yah Huei Wu; Lei Wei Yi; Pang See Tong; Chuang Cheng Keng^*; Liao Shuen Kuei^*

来源：Oncotarget, 2017, 8(9): 15593-15609.

DOI：10.18632/oncotarget.14777

• cancer stem cells
• sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma
• epithelioid and fibroblastoid subsets
• CD24
• CD44

Epithelioid and fibroblastoid subsets coexist in the human sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (sRCC) cell line, RCC52, according to previous clonal studies. Herein, using monoclonal antibodies to CD44 and CD24 markers, we identified and isolated these two populations, and showed that CD44(bright)/CD24(dim) and CD44(bright)/CD24(bright) phenotypes correspond to epithelioid and fibroblastoid subsets, respectively. Both sorted subsets displayed different levels of tumorigenicity in xenotransplantation, indicating that each harbored its own cancer stem cells (CSCs). The CD44(bright)/CD24(bright) subset, associated with higher expression of MMP-7, -8 and TIMP-1 transcripts, showed greater migratory/invasive potential than the CD44(bright)/CD24(dim) subset, which was associated with higher expression of MMP-2, -9 and TIMP-2 transcripts. Both subsets differentially expressed stemness gene products c-Myc, Oct4A, Notch1, Notch2 and Notch3, and the RCC stem cell marker, CD105 in 4-5% of RCC52 cells. These results suggest the presence of CSCs in both sRCC subsets for the first time and should therefore be considered potential therapeutic targets for this aggressive malignancy.

• 出版日期2017-2-28
• 单位长春大学