Precancerous stem cells have the potential for both benign and malignant differentiation.
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified in hematopoietic and solid tumors. However, their precursors-namely, precancerous stem cells (pCSCs) -have not been characterized. Here we experimentally define the pCSCs that have the potential for both benign and malignant differentiation, depending on environmental cues. While clonal pCSCs can develop into various types of tissue cells in immunocompetent mice without developing into cancer, they often develop, however, into leukemic or solid cancers composed of various types of cancer cells in immunodeficient mice. The progress of the pCSCs to cancers is associated with the up-regulation of c-kit and Sca-1, as well as with lineage markers. Mechanistically, the pCSCs are regulated by the PIWI/AGO family gene called piwil2. Our results provide clear evidence that a single clone of pCSCs has the potential for both benign and malignant differentiation, depending on the environmental cues. We anticipate pCSCs to be a novel target for the early detection, prevention, and therapy of cancers.
Chen
Li
L
Department of Pathology, Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America.
Shen
Rulong
R
Ye
Yin
Y
Pu
Xin-An
XA
Liu
Xingluo
X
Duan
Wenrui
W
Wen
Jing
J
Zimmerer
Jason
J
Wang
Ying
Y
Liu
Yan
Y
Lasky
Larry C
LC
Heerema
Nyla A
NA
Perrotti
Danilo
D
Ozato
Keiko
K
Kuramochi-Miyagawa
Satomi
S
Nakano
Toru
T
Yates
Allen J
AJ
Carson
William E
WE
Lin
Haifan
H
Barsky
Sanford H
SH
Gao
Jian-Xin
JX
D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002455:Cell Division; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003463:Cues; D004777:Environment; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D010641:Phenotype; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology*
D034741:RNA, Small Interfering