Hypoxia Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Cell Dedifferentiation to Stem-Like Cell Phenotypes With High Tumorigenic Potential by the HIF-1α/Notch Signaling Pathway.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of hypoxia on pancreatic cancer (PC) cell dedifferentiation and tumorigenic potential.

Methods: Inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and overexpression of Notch1 in PC HS766T cell lines were by lentiviral transfection. The expression of stem cell-specific markers C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4, CD44, and Nestin was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot assays.