Nestin and CD133: valuable stem cell-specific markers for determining clinical outcome of glioma patients.
OBJECTIVE
Gliomas represent the most frequent neoplasm of the central nervous system. Unfortunately, surgical cure of it is practically impossible and their clinical course is primarily determined by the biological behaviors of the tumor cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of the stem cell markers Nestin and CD133 expression with the grading of gliomas, and to evaluate their prognostic value.


METHODS
The tissue samples consisted of 56 low- (WHO grade II), 69 high- (WHO grade III, IV) grade gliomas, and 10 normal brain tissues. The expression levels of Nestin and CD133 proteins were detected using SABC immunohistochemical analysis. Then, the correlation of the two markers' expression with gliomas' grading of patients and their prognostic value were determined.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemical analysis with anti-Nestin and anti-CD133 antibodies revealed dense and spotty staining in the tumor cells and their expression levels became significantly higher as the glioma grade advanced (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the two markers' expression in different gliomas tissues (rs = 0.89). The low expression of the two markers significantly correlated with long survival of the glioma patients (p < 0.05). The survival rate of the patients with Nestin+/CD133+ expression was the lowest (p < 0.01), and the multivariate analysis confirmed that conjoined expression of Nestin+/CD133+ and Nestin-/CD133- were independent prognostic indicators of gliomas (both p < 0.01, Cox proportional hazard regression model).


CONCLUSIONS
These results collectively suggest that Nestin and CD133 expression may be an important feature of human gliomas. A combined detection of Nestin/CD133 co-expression may benefit us in the prediction of aggressive nature of this tumor.
Zhang
Mingyu
M
The Neurosurgery Department of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, PR China. zhangmy@hotmail.com
Song
Tao
T
Yang
Liang
L
Chen
Ruokun
R
Wu
Lei
L
Yang
Zhuanyi
Z
Fang
Jiasheng
J
D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005910:Glioma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D064231:Nestin; D010455:Peptides; D011379:Prognosis; D055815:Young Adult
D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; C577484:NES protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D064231:Nestin; C000606023:PROM1 protein, human; D010455:Peptides