Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) sustain tumor growth through their ability to self-renew and to generate differentiated progeny. These functions endow CSCs with the potential to initiate secondary tumors bearing characteristics similar to those of the parent. Recently the hair follicle stem cell marker CD34 was used to purify a CSC-like cell population from early skin tumors arising from treatment with 7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene/12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, which typically generates benign papillomas that occasionally progress to squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). In the present study, we identify and characterize CSCs purified from malignant SCCs. We show that SCCs contain two highly tumorigenic CSC populations that differ in CD34 levels but are enriched for integrins and coexist at the SCC-stroma interface. Intriguingly, whether CD34(lo) or CD34(hi), α6(hi)β1(hi) populations can initiate secondary tumors by serial limit-dilution transplantation assays, but α6(lo)β1(lo) populations cannot. Moreover, secondary tumors generated from a single CSC of either subtype contain both CD34(lo) and CD34(hi) α6(hi)β1(hi)CSCs, indicating their nonhierarchical organization. Genomic profiling and hierarchical cluster analysis show that these two CSC subtypes share a molecular signature distinct from either the CD34(-) epidermal or the CD34(hi) hair follicle stem cell signature. Although closely related, α6(hi)β1(hi)CD34(lo) and α6(hi)β1(hi)CD34(hi) CSCs differ in cell-cycle gene expression and proliferation characteristics. Indeed, proliferation and expansion of α6(hi)β1(hi)CD34(hi) CSCs is sensitive to whether they can initiate a TGF-β receptor II-mediated response to counterbalance elevated focal adhesion kinase-mediated integrin signaling within the tumor. Overall, the coexistence and interconvertibility of CSCs with differing sensitivities to their microenvironment pose challenges and opportunities for SCC cancer therapies.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
