Background: There is now substantial evidence that only a subpopulation of cells in solid cancers is able to sustain tumour growth and to re-initiate new tumours. Various cancers and cancer-derived cell lines, including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), have a subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), marked by high levels of expression of the CD44 adhesion molecule. However, it has been unclear whether, in addition to acting as a marker, CD44 has functions that directly influence stem cell properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of CD44 in the maintenance of the CSC population in HNSCC cell lines.
Methods: CD44 was down-regulated either by treating cultures with 1 mM sodium butyrate or by the more specific method of knockdown with siRNAs directed against CD44. Changes in CD44 expression levels were assessed at the mRNA and protein levels, and the effects of CD44 down-regulation on cell proliferation and on the fate of the CSC subpopulations were assessed.
Results: Reduced CD44 expression resulted in a decreased rate of population expansion, both initially and on repassage, and there was an alteration in colony morphologies indicative of stem cell loss. Down-regulation of CD44 also led to reduced expression of Oct4A, an alternative marker of CSCs.
Conclusions: The results suggest that CD44 has a functional role in maintaining stem cell properties in HNSCC cell lines and provides support for the concept that therapies targeting CD44, or its related signalling pathways, may allow development of more efficient treatment strategies.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jop.12076 | DOI Listing |
STAR Protoc
January 2025
Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Neurology Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. Electronic address:
Here, we present a protocol for using Myotally, a user-friendly software for fast, automated quantification of muscle fiber size, number, and central nucleation from immunofluorescent stains of mouse skeletal muscle cross-sections. We describe steps for installing the software, preparing compatible images, finding the file path, and selecting key parameters like image quality and size limits. We also detail optional features, such as measuring mean fluorescence.
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January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China. Electronic address:
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provide a powerful platform for generating hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) and investigating hematopoietic development. Here, we present a protocol for maintaining hPSCs and inducing their differentiation into HPCs through the endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition (EHT) on vitronectin-coated plates. We outline steps for evaluating the efficiency of HPC generation and assessing their potential to differentiate into various hematopoietic lineages.
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January 2025
School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. Electronic address:
Interleukin (IL)-7 promotes T cell expansion during lymphopenia. We studied the metabolic basis in CD4 T cells, observing increased glucose usage for nucleotide synthesis and oxidation in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Unlike other TCA metabolites, glucose-derived citrate does not accumulate upon IL-7 exposure, indicating diversion into other processes.
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January 2025
Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Histology and Medical Embryology Unit, Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. Electronic address:
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common pediatric soft tissue sarcoma, arises in skeletal muscle and remains in an undifferentiated state due to transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulators. Among its subtypes, fusion-negative RMS (FN-RMS) accounts for the majority of diagnoses in the pediatric population. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that modulate cell identity via post-transcriptional regulation of messenger RNAs (mRNAs).
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January 2025
Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Yitian Road 7019, Shenzhen, 518000, China.
Hair follicle (HF) development and pigmentation are complex processes governed by various signaling pathways, such as TGF-β and FGF signaling pathways. Nestin + (neural crest like) stem cells are also expressed in HF stem cells, particularly in the bulge and dermal papilla region. However, the specific role and differentiation potential of these Nestin-positive cells within the HF remain unclear, especially regarding their contribution to melanocyte formation and hair pigmentation.
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