Characterization of the conversion between CD133+ and CD133- cells in colon cancer SW620 cell line.

ABSTRACT: The state of cancer stem cells (CSC) under reversible fluctuations, which has been revealed in breast cancer cells most recently, suggests that subpopulations with distinct phenotypes and functions within cancer cells can undergo inter-conversion. To investigate the possibility in colon cancer cells, we employed CD133 as the CSC marker, and characterized CD133 expression pattern and the biological features of the CD133 (+) and CD133 (-) subsets. Flow cytometry revealed that CD133 was bimodally expressed in SW620 cells among eight colon cancer cell lines. The CD133 (+) clonal SW620 cells displayed a differential gene expression profile, higher cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), enhanced tumorigenesis and resistance to 5-fluorouracil. The conversion in term of the CD133 phenotype of

SUBMITTER: Feng JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3542230 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature