SLUG/SNAI2 and tumor necrosis factor generate breast cells with CD44+/CD24- phenotype.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Breast cancer cells with CD44+/CD24- cell surface marker expression profile are proposed as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Normal breast epithelial cells that are CD44+/CD24- express higher levels of stem/progenitor cell associated genes. We, amongst others, have shown that cancer cells that have undergone epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) display the CD44+/CD24- phenotype. However, whether all genes that induce EMT confer the CD44+/CD24- phenotype is unknown. We hypothesized that only a subset of genes associated with EMT generates CD44+/CD24- cells.

Methods

MCF-10A breast epithelial cells, a subpopulation of which spontaneously acquire the CD44+/CD24- phenotype, were used to identify genes that are differentially expressed in CD44+/CD24- and CD44-/CD24+ cell

SUBMITTER: Bhat-Nakshatri P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3087321 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature