title: Angiotensin II Increases Cancer Stem Cell-like Phenotype in Lung Cancer Cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been proposed as important players in cancer progression, metastasis, and chemotherapeutic resistance in many cancers, including lung cancer. However, effects of the endogenous substance angiotensin II (ANG II) on cancer stem cell-like phenotype in lung cancer are largely unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human lung cancer cells were treated with non-cytotoxic concentrations of ANG II. The CSC phenotype was evaluated by spheroid formation, 3D culture, and anchorage-independent growth assays. The expression levels of CSC makers were determined by western blot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ANG II significantly increased the ability of lung cancer cells to form spheroids. ANG II also increased the growth of cancer cells in a 3D culture Matrigel-based assay and facilitated cancer cell survival in an anchorage-independent condition. Western blot analysis revealed that cell treatment with ANG II significantly up-regulated CD133 levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study revealed that the endogenous substance ANG II enhances CSC-like phenotype in lung cancer cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Physiology and Cell-Based Drug and Health Product Development Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Supannikar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tawinwung
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Physiology and Cell-Based Drug and Health Product Development Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chuanpit
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ninsontia
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Physiology and Cell-Based Drug and Health Product Development Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand pithi_chan@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Pithi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chanvorachote
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D010641:Phenotype; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D018874:Spheroids, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000804:Angiotensin II
keywords: Lung cancer; angiotensin II; cancer stem cells; spheroid