OBJECTIVETo screen the differentially expressed genes of stem-like cells in tongue squamous cell carcinoma using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH).

METHODSThe cells with high and low expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase(ALDHbr and ALDHlow) were isolated respectively from human tongue squamous cell carcinoma Tca8113 cell line. SSH was used to identify differentially expressed genes in those two groups. Positive cell clones with high/ low-expressed ALDH were screened randomly for the genetic sequences and function analysis by the bioinformatics technology.

RESULTSTotal 62 differentially expressed genes were identified, most of which got involved in regulation of cell cycle, cellular differentiation and other biology activities as gene ontology (GO) analysis indicated. Signal pathway analysis revealed 12 pathways related to 11 genes changed significantly.

CONCLUSIONSeveral potential novel biomarker candidates of tongue cancer stem cells were identified and they may provide important insights into the functions and characteristics of human tumor stem cell.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; Tongue Neoplasms

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in tongue squamous cell carcinoma Tca8113 cell line and observe the biological characteristics of tumor cells expressing high level of ALDH (ALDH(hig)).

METHODSThe expression of ALDH in tongue squamous cell carcinoma Tca8113 cell line was detected by the flow cytometry. The ALDH(hig) and ALDH(low) subpopulation cells were isolated and cultured in vitro respectively. The ability of differentiation, proliferation and tumorsphere formation were detected. Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was employed to screen the genes overexpressed in ALDH(hig) subpopulation cells.

RESULTSThe ALDH(hig) cells in tongue squamous cell carcinoma Tca8113 cell line was rarely 1.3%. Compared with ALDH(low) cells and unsorted cells, ALDH(hig) cells demonstrated increased proliferation capacity. After culture in vitro, the percentage of ALDH(hig) cells decreased gradually to the level of that in unsorted tumor cells. The ALDH(hig) subpopulation cells could survive in serum free medium and generate tumorspheres. SSH analysis revealed these tumor cells also expressed stem cell related genes.

CONCLUSIONThere is a rare subpopulation cells expressing ALDH highly, which displays characteristics similar to stem cells. ALDH may be one of markers for cancer stem cells of tongue squamous cell carcinoma Tca8113 cell line.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; Tongue Neoplasms