A minority subpopulation of CD133(+) /EGFRvIII(+) /EGFR(-) cells acquires stemness and contributes to gefitinib resistance.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

To study the contribution of epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) to glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) stemness and gefitinib resistance.

Methods

CD133(+) and CD133(-) cells were separated from EGFRvIII(+) clinical specimens of three patients with newly diagnosed GBM. Then, RT-PCR was performed to evaluate EGFRvIII and EGFR expression in CD133(+) and CD133(-) cells. The tumorigenicity and stemness of CD133(+) cells was verified by intracranial implantation of 5 × 10(3) cells into immunodeficient NOD/SCID mice. Finally, cells were evaluated for their sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibition by gefitinib.

Results

RT-PCR results showed that the sorted CD133(+) cells expressed EGFRvIII exclusively, while the CD133(-) cells expressed both EGFRvIII

SUBMITTER: Liu XJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6493376 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature