title: Differential CD133 expression pattern during mouse colon tumorigenesis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The cancer stem cell model suggests that only a rare subpopulation, known as cancer stem cells (CSC) are responsible for tumor initiation. CSC from several human carcinomas are characterized by specific cell surface markers, such as CD133. The CD133 role in colon tumorigenesis remains controversial.
  
  
  METHODS
  CD133 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a mouse model of colitis-related colon tumorigenesis induced by a combined treatment with azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulphate (DSS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In normal tissue rare scattered positive cells were detectable at the bottom of the crypts. The percentage of positive cells significantly increased in dysplastic lesions and appeared to progressively decrease in the passage from dysplasia to adenoma and then to cancer, although always remaining greater in number than in the normal tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An increased CD133 expression occurs at early stages of colon tumorigenesis in the mouse. CD133-expressing cells might play an important role from the earlier phase and throughout the entire process of colon cancer development.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arena
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Caredda
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cufino
authors.forename: Egidio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stigliano
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scaldaferri
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gasbarrini
authors.forename: Achille
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cittadini
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sgambato
mesh_terms: D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001397:Azoxymethane / Q000737:chemistry; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016264:Dextran Sulfate / Q000737:chemistry; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D010455:Peptides
chemical_list: D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD; D002273:Carcinogens; D006023:Glycoproteins; C000606023:PROM1 protein, human; D010455:Peptides; C000606024:Prom1 protein, mouse; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D001397:Azoxymethane