Novel role of pancreatic differentiation 2 in facilitating self-renewal and drug resistance of pancreatic cancer stem cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute towards disease aggressiveness and drug resistance. Specific identification of CSC maintenance genes and targeting can improve the efficiency of currently available treatment modalities. Pancreatic differentiation 2 (PD2) has a major role in the self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem cells. In the present study, we investigated the role of PD2 in pancreatic CSCs.

Methods

Characterisation of CSCs and non-CSCs from mouse models, pancreatic cancer cells and human tissues by CSC and self-renewal marker analysis using confocal assay. Effect of PD2 knockdown in CSCs (after gemcitabine treatment) was studied by immunoblot and apoptosis assays.

Results

A subpopulation of cells displayed PD2 overexpression in mouse (Kras(G12D); Pdx1

SUBMITTER: Vaz AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4119968 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature