Expression profiling of stem cell signaling alters with spheroid formation in CD133/CD44 prostate cancer stem cells.

Cancer stem cells (CSC) isolated from multiple tumor types differentiate and when cultured in serum; however, the factors responsible for their differentiation have not yet been identified. The first aim of the present study was to identify CD133/CD44 DU145 prostate CSCs and compare their profiles with non-CSCs as bulk counterparts of the population. Subsequently, the two populations continued to be three-dimensional multicellular spheroids. Differentiation was then investigated with stem cell-related genomic characteristics. Polymerase chain reaction array analyses of cell cycle regulation, embryonic and mesenchymal cell lineage-related markers, and telomerase reverse transcriptase () and signaling were performed. Immunohistochemistry of , , , , , , , , and were determined in CSC and non-CSC monolayer and spheroid subcultures. Significant gene alterations were observed in the CD133/CD44 population when cultured as a monolayer and continued as spheroid. In this group, marked gene upregulation was determined in , and , and were respectively upregulated genes in the Notch signaling pathway. According to immunoreactivity, the staining density of , , and increased significantly in CSC spheroids. Isolated CSCs alter their cellular characterization over the course of time and exhibit a differentiation profile while maintaining their former surface antigens at a level of transcription or translation. The current study suggested that this differentiation process may be a mechanism responsible for the malignant process and tumor growth.