Breast Cancer Stem Cells and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Author Information
Author(s): Morel Anne-Pierre, Lièvre Marjory, Thomas Clémence, Hinkal George, Ansieau Stéphane, Puisieux Alain
Primary Institution: Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
Hypothesis
Can cancer stem cells be derived from normal mammary epithelial cells through the activation of the Ras-MAPK pathway and induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)?
Conclusion
The study demonstrates that tumorigenic CD44+CD24−/low cells can originate from primary CD44lowCD24+ human mammary epithelial cells following transformation with oncogenes, with EMT playing a crucial role.
Supporting Evidence
- The study shows that CD44+CD24−/low cells can be generated from CD44lowCD24+ cells through the activation of the Ras/MAPK pathway.
- EMT is associated with the loss of epithelial markers and gain of mesenchymal markers in the transformed cells.
- The introduction of oncogenes was linked to the emergence of CD24− cells, which displayed tumorigenic properties.
Takeaway
Scientists found that some breast cancer cells can change from normal cells into cancer stem cells, which can help tumors grow and spread. This change happens through a process called EMT.
Methodology
The study used a mammary tumor progression model to analyze the transformation of human mammary epithelial cells and the emergence of cancer stem cells.
Limitations
The study was conducted in vitro, and the tumorigenicity of the generated CD24− cells appears weaker than that of cancer stem cells isolated from human breast cancer.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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