Redox Regulation in Cancer Stem Cells.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ROS-dependent (redox regulation) signaling pathways and transcriptional activities are thought to be critical in stem cell self-renewal and differentiation during growth and organogenesis. Aberrant ROS burst and dysregulation of those ROS-dependent cellular processes are strongly associated with human diseases including many cancers. ROS levels are elevated in cancer cells partially due to their higher metabolism rate. In the past 15 years, the concept of cancer stem cells (CSCs) has been gaining ground as the subpopulation of cancer cells with stem cell-like properties and characteristics have been identified in various cancers. CSCs possess low levels of ROS and are responsible for cancer recurrence after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Unfortunately, how CSCs control ROS production and scavenging and how ROS-dependent signaling pathways contribute to CSCs function remain poorly understood. This review focuses on the role of redox balance, especially in ROS-dependent cellular processes in cancer stem cells (CSCs). We updated recent advances in our understanding of ROS generation and elimination in CSCs and their effects on CSC self-renewal and differentiation through modulating signaling pathways and transcriptional activities. The review concludes that targeting CSCs by manipulating ROS metabolism/dependent pathways may be an effective approach for improving cancer treatment.
Key Lab of Meat Processing and Quality Control, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
Shijie
S
Ding
Key Lab of Meat Processing and Quality Control, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
Chunbao
C
Li
USDA/ARS Children Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Ninghui
N
Cheng
Departments of Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Cancer Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
Xiaojiang
X
Cui
Key Lab of Meat Processing and Quality Control, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
Xinglian
X
Xu
Key Lab of Meat Processing and Quality Control, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
Guanghong
G
Zhou
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species