Potential identity of multi-potential cancer stem-like subpopulation after radiation of cultured brain glioma.
BACKGROUND
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequently encountered brain cancer. Although the existence of cancer stem cells in GBM has been previously established, there is little evidence to explain the difference between cancer stem cells and radio-resistant cells in GBM. In an effort to increase our understanding of whether cellular radio-resistance is a characteristic associated with cancer stem cells, we developed a dissociated cell system of subpopulations derived from GBM, and demonstrated radiotherapy resistance therein.


RESULTS
The radio-resistant cancer cell subpopulations of GBM abundantly express CD133, CD117, CD71, and CD45 surface markers, and these radio-resistant cancer cell subpopulations have the capacity for extensive proliferation, self-renewal, and pluripotency. These radio-resistant cancer subpopulations have been shown to initiate tumorigenesis when transplanted into SCID mouse brains. Moreover, these tumors evidenced highly peculiar nest-like shapes harboring both vascular and cancerous tissue structures, which expressed the blood vessel specific marker, the von Willebrand factor. Accordingly, subpopulations of radio-resistant cells in GBM have been shown to be very similar to hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the circulating blood. This similarity may contribute to increased tumor growth and GBM recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study provide further evidence for radio resistant subpopulations of cancer stem cells in GBM. Also, our results will assist in the identification and characterization of cancer stem cell populations in glioma, and will help to improve the therapeutic outcomes of GBM.
Kang
Mi K
MK
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea. kangsookyung@daum.net
Hur
Beong I
BI
Ko
Mi H
MH
Kim
Cheul H
CH
Cha
Seung H
SH
Kang
Soo K
SK
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000528:radiation effects; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000235:genetics*; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000276:immunology
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D014841:von Willebrand Factor