OCT4 Expression Enhances Features of Cancer Stem Cells in a Mouse Model of Breast Cancer.
10.5625/lar.2011.27.2.147
- Author:
Ran Ju KIM
1
;
Jeong Seok NAM
Author Information
1. Laboratory of Tumor Suppressor, Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Republic of Korea. namjs@gachon.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cancer stem cell;
OCT4;
breast cancer
- MeSH:
Animals;
Breast;
Breast Neoplasms;
Humans;
Isoenzymes;
Mice;
Neoplasm Metastasis;
Neoplastic Stem Cells;
Recurrence;
Retinal Dehydrogenase;
Stem Cells;
Transcription Factors
- From:Laboratory Animal Research
2011;27(2):147-152
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis proposes that CSCs are responsible for metastasis and disease recurrence. Therefore, targeting CSCs has the potential to significantly improve outcomes for cancer patients. The OCT4 transcription factor gene is a master gene that plays a key role in the self-renewal and pluripotency of stem cells. In this study, we introduced an OCT4 reporting vector into 4T1 mouse breast cancer cells and sorted OCT4 high and OCT4 low cell populations. We then determined whether OCT4 expression is associated with maintenance and expansion of CSCs. We found that OCT4high 4T1 cells have an increased ability to form tumorsphere and a high expression of stem cell markers such as Sca-1, CD133, CD34, and ALDH1, when compared with OCT4low 4T1 cells. In addition, OCT4high 4T1 cells have greater tumorigenic potential in vivo. These findings suggest that OCT4 expression may be a useful target for stem cell-specific cancer therapy.
