The expression of cancer stem cell markers in human colorectal carcinoma cells in a microenvironment dependent manner.
Numerous lines of evidence support the hierarchical model of cancer development and tumor initiation. According to the theory, cancer stem cells play a crucial role in the formation of the tumor and should be targeted for more effective anticancer treatment. However, cancer stem cells quickly loose their characteristics when propagated as 2D cell culture, indicating that the 2D cell culture does not provide the appropriate settings to maintain an in vivo environment. In this study we have investigated the expression of self-renewal, cancer stem cell and epithelial to mesenchymal transition markers after the transfer of human colorectal carcinoma cell DLD1 and HT29 lines from 2D cell cultures to scaffold-attached laminin rich extracellular matrix and scaffold-free multicellular spheroid 3D culture models. Based on the up-regulated expression of multipotency, CSC and EMT markers, our data suggests that human colorectal carcinoma cells grown in 3D exhibit enhanced cancer stem cell characteristics. Therefore, in order to design more efficient targeted therapies, we suggest that 3D cell culture models should be employed in cancer stem cell research.
Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu str. 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania. Electronic address: vaidotas.stankevicius@nvi.lt.
Vaidotas
V
Stankevicius
Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu str. 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania. Electronic address: linaskunigenas@gmail.com.
Linas
L
Kunigenas
Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu str. 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania. Electronic address: edvinas111@gmail.com.
Edvinas
E
Stankunas
Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu str. 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania. Electronic address: karolina.kuodyte@gmail.com.
Karolina
K
Kuodyte
Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu str. 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius, Lithuania. Electronic address: egle.strainiene@nvi.lt.
Egle
E
Strainiene
Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Animal Pathology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; MAP Kinase Resource, Bern, Switzerland; Proteomics Center, Institute of Biochemistry, Vilnius University Life Sciences Center, Sauletekio av. 7, Vilnius LT-10257, Lithuania. Electronic address: j.cicenas@mapkinases.eu.
Jonas
J
Cicenas
Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu str. 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania. Electronic address: narimantas.samalavicius@nvi.lt.
Narimantas E
NE
Samalavicius
Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu str. 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania. Electronic address: kestutis.suziedelis@gf.vu.lt.
Kestutis
K
Suziedelis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D019073:HT29 Cells; D006801:Humans; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D000072258:Tumor Hypoxia / Q000502:physiology; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000502:physiology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
3D cell cultures; CRC; Cancer stemness; EMT; Hypoxia; Multipotency