Targeting endogenous DLK1 exerts antitumor effect on hepatocellular carcinoma through initiating cell differentiation.

ABSTRACT: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for tumor initiation and progression. We previously showed that Delta-like homolog 1 (DLK1) may be a therapeutic target against the CSCs of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanism remain unclear. Here we demonstrated that knockdown of DLK1 using a tet-inducible short hairpin RNA (shRNA) system significantly inhibited proliferation, spheroid formation and in vivo xenograft tumor growth of human HCC cells. Furthermore, in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model, adenovirus-mediated DLK1 knockdown could significantly reduce tumor size, as shown by in vivo imaging approach. Subsequently, an adenoviral vector harboring mouse Dlk1 shRNA was applied. The results showed that Dlk1 knockdown also could inhi

SUBMITTER: Cai CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5342093 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature