CD44s signals the acquisition of the mesenchymal phenotype required for anchorage-independent cell survival in hepatocellular carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) have an important role in metastatic processes, but details of their basic characteristics remain elusive. We hypothesised that CD44-expressing CTCs show a mesenchymal phenotype and high potential for survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Circulating CD44(+)CD90(+) cells, previously shown to be tumour-initiating cells, were sorted from human blood and their genetic characteristics were compared with those of tumour cells from primary tissues. The mechanism underlying the high survival potential of CD44-expressing cells in the circulatory system was investigated in vitro.

Results

CD44(+)CD90(+) cells in the blood acquired epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and CD44 expression remarkably increased from the tissue

SUBMITTER: Okabe H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3929866 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature