title: Upregulated CD133 expression in tumorigenesis of colon cancer cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the upregulated CD133 expression in tumorigenesis of primary colon cancer cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Upregulated CD133 expression in tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer cell lines (Lovo, Colo205, Caco-2, HCT116 and SW620) was analyzed by flow cytometry. Human colon cancer tissue samples were stained with anti-human CD133. SW620 cells were sorted according to the CD133 expression level measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Spheroids of colorectal cancer cells were cultured with the hanging drop. Expression of CD133 and Lgr5 in spheroids of colorectal cancer cells and monolayer culture was detected by RT-qPCR. Spheroids of colorectal cancer cells were analyzed using anti-human CD133 with immunohistochemical staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CD133 antigen was expressed in colorectal cancer cell lines (Lovo, Colo205, Caco-2, HCT116 and SW620) as well as in primary and metastatic human colon cancer tissues. However, the CD133 was differently expressed in these cell lines and tissues. The expression levels of CD133 and Lgr5 were significantly higher in spheroids of parental, CD133(hi) and CD133⁻ cells than in their monolayer culture at the mRNA level (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining of spheroids of CD133⁻ cells showed that CD133 was highly expressed in colorectal cancer cell lines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Upregulated CD133 expression plays a role in tumorigenesis colorectal cancer cells, which may promote the expression of other critical genes that can drive tumorigenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Li
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Zhi-Gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006023:Glycoproteins; C116884:LGR5 protein, human; C000606023:PROM1 protein, human; D010455:Peptides; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled