Effect of bFGF on the MCF-7 Cell Cycle with CD44(+)/CD24(-): Promoting the G0/G1→G2/S Transition.
OBJECTIVE
Few cells with stem cell characteristics possess capabilities of self-renewal and differentiation, which leads to high tumorigenesis and resistance to standard chemotherapeutic agents. These cells are mostly quiescent, and arrest occurs at the mitotic G0/G1 phase in mitosis. We explored the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the MCF-7 cell cycle with CD44(+)/CD24(-).


METHODS
Cancer-initiating cells were propagated as mammospheres. The CD44(+)/CD24(-) subpopulation was sorted by a fluorescence activating cell sorter-Vantage flow cytometer. A cell cycle analysis was performed with different bFGF concentrations.


RESULTS
Differences in the CD44(+)/CD24(-) cell proliferation under different bFGF concentrations were observed (p=0.001). When the bFGF concentration was increased, the proportion of CD44(+)/CD24(-) at G0/G1 decreased (p=0.023).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that bFGF may sustain CD44(+)/CD24(-) cell proliferation and could promote cell progression through the G0/G1→G2/S phase transition.
The First Affilated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, China.
Zhen-Lin
ZL
Yang
Kai
K
Cheng
Zhao-Dong
ZD
Han
Breast neoplasms; Cell cycle; Fibroblast growth factors; Stem cells