SOX2 regulates self-renewal and tumorigenicity of stem-like cells of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) display cellular heterogeneity and contain cancer stem cells (CSCs). Sex-determining region Y [SRY]-box (SOX)2 is an important regulator of embryonic stem cell fate and is aberrantly expressed in several types of human tumours. Nonetheless, the role of SOX2 in HNSCC remains unclear.

Methods

We created cells ectopically expressing SOX2 from previously established HNSCC cells and examined the cell proliferation, self-renewal capacity, and chemoresistance of these cells compared with control cells. In addition, we knocked down SOX2 in primary spheres obtained from HNSCC tumour tissue and assessed the attenuation of stemness-associated traits in these cells in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we examined the clinical rele

SUBMITTER: Lee SH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4260038 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature