Enrichment of colorectal cancer stem cells through epithelial-mesenchymal transition via CDH1 knockdown

Ye,Jun; Wu,Dang; Shen,Jinwen; Wu,Pin; Ni,Chao; Chen,Jing; Zhao,Jing; Zhang,Tao; Wang,Xiaolei; Huang,Jian

doi:10.3892/mmr.2012.938

Enrichment of colorectal cancer stem cells through epithelial-mesenchymal transition via CDH1 knockdown

Authors:
- Jun Ye
- Dang Wu
- Jinwen Shen
- Pin Wu
- Chao Ni
- Jing Chen
- Jing Zhao
- Tao Zhang
- Xiaolei Wang
- Jian Huang
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Affiliations: Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory for Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences, Zhejiang), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
Published online on: June 7, 2012 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2012.938
Pages: 507-512

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Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered to be the origin of cancer relapse and metastasis. The better understanding of CSCs, including CSCs in human colorectal cancer (CRC), may facilitate prevention and treatment. This study aimed to establish a CSC enrichment model via the induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in CRC cells. We established an EMT model using the SW480 CRC cell line by CDH1 knockdown using shRNA interference. CD24+CD44+ cells were enriched in the CDH1 knockdown cells. The cells exhibited mesenchymal morphology and expressed high levels of EMT-related proteins, which confirmed that these cells had undergone EMT. Our results further showed that the proliferation rate of the transfected cells was reduced, whereas their colony-forming capacity and tumorigenesis in vivo was significantly enhanced compared to the control cells. In conclusion, these cells were highly enriched CSCs (compared to normal CSCs) and may be used as a stable model for cancer research and anticancer drug screening.

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