title: Biological characteristics of CD133(+) cancer stem cells derived from human laryngeal carcinoma cell line.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the in vitro invasive capability, clone-forming ability, resistance to anti-tumor treatments of CD133(+) human laryngeal carcinoma stem cells, and characterize the related signaling pathways in these cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells were subjected to flow cytometry sorting to obtain CD133(+) stem cells. Transwell chamber assay and clone-formation forming test were performed to evaluate the invasive capability and the clone-forming ability of CD133(+) laryngeal carcinoma tumor stem cells, respectively. MTT assay was used to assess the resistance of CD133(+) Hep-2 cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, respectively. Western blot and real-time PCR were applied to characterize the signaling pathways in these stem cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results from the transwell chamber assay indicated that the migrating capability of CD133(+) Hep-2 cells was significantly higher than CD133(-) cells, and the invasive capability of CD133(+) Hep-2 cells was also significantly elevated. Moreover, clone-formation forming test showed higher clone-forming ability for CD133(+) Hep-2 cells, compared with CD133(-) cells. Furthermore, CD133(+) Hep-2 cells displayed significant resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The Bcl-2/Bax ratio was increased, and Hedgehog, Wnt, and Bmi-l signaling pathways were all activated, in CD133(+) laryngeal carcinoma stem cells, which might be involved in the self-renewal process of these stem cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The invasive capability, clone-forming ability, and resistance to anti-tumor treatments are enhanced, and anti-apoptotic and proliferation-related signaling pathways are activated in CD133(+) laryngeal carcinoma tumor stem cells. These findings might provide new insights into the prevention and/or treatment of laryngeal carcinoma, especially concerning target-oriented therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital Lanzhou 730000, China.
authors.forename: Xudong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathophysiology, Lanzhou University Lanzhou 730000, China.
authors.forename: Jingyu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital Lanzhou 730000, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital Lanzhou 730000, China.
authors.forename: Bingjuan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital Lanzhou 730000, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
keywords: CD133; chemotherapy; laryngeal carcinoma; radiotherapy; tumor stem cells