Conversion to stem-cell state in response to microenvironmental cues is regulated by balance between epithelial and mesenchymal features in lung cancer cells

Cancer cells within a tumor are functionally heterogeneous and specific subpopulations, defined as cancer initiating cells (CICs), are endowed with higher tumor forming potential. The CIC state, however, is not hierarchically stable and conversion of non-CICs to CICs under microenvironment signals might represent a determinant of tumor aggressiveness. How plasticity is regulated at the cellular level is however poorly understood. To identify determinants of plasticity in lung cancer we exposed eight different cell lines to TGFβ1 to induce EMT and stimulate modulation of CD133+ CICs.

Source: Molecular Oncology - October 12, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Francesca Andriani, Giulia Bertolini, Federica Facchinetti, Erika Baldoli, Massimo Moro, Patrizia Casalini, Roberto Caserini, Massimo Milione, Giorgia Leone, Giuseppe Pelosi, Ugo Pastorino, Gabriella Sozzi, Luca Roz Source Type: research