Snail1 induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and tumor initiating stem cell characteristics.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tumor initiating stem-like cells (TISCs) are a subset of neoplastic cells that possess distinct survival mechanisms and self-renewal characteristics crucial for tumor maintenance and propagation. The induction of epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) by TGFβ has been recently linked to the acquisition of TISC characteristics in breast cancer. In HCC, a TISC and EMT phenotype correlates with a worse prognosis. In this work, our aim is to elucidate the underlying mechanism by which cells acquire tumor initiating characteristics after EMT.

Methods

Gene and protein expression assays and Nanog-promoter luciferase reporter were utilized in epithelial and mesenchymal phenotype liver cancer cell lines. EMT was analyzed with migration/invasion assays. TISC characteristic

SUBMITTER: Dang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3189192 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature