SOX9 is a novel cancer stem cell marker surrogated by osteopontin in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: The current lack of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers that are easily evaluated by blood samples prevents the establishment of new therapeutic strategies in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we examined whether sex determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9) represents a new CSC marker, and whether osteopontin (OPN) can be used as a surrogate marker of SOX9 in HCC. In HCC cell lines transfected with a SOX9 promoter-driven enhanced green fluorescence protein gene, FACS-isolated SOX9(+) cells were capable of self-renewal and differentiation into SOX9(-) cells, and displayed high proliferation capacity in vitro. Xenotransplantation experiments revealed that SOX9(+) cells reproduced, differentiated into SOX9(-) cells, and generated tumors at a high frequency in vivo. Moreover, SOX9(+) cells were foun

SUBMITTER: Kawai T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4960550 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature