Abstract
To investigate the relationship between stem cells in normal epithelium and in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), we examined expression of a panel of human epidermal stem cell markers in SCCs and SCC cell lines. Markers that are co-expressed in normal stem cells were not co-expressed in SCC. Downregulation of two markers, Lrig1 and MAP4, and upregulation of a third, MCSP, correlated with poor differentiation status and increased proliferation in primary tumours. We conclude that SCCs do not reflect a simple expansion of stem cells; rather, tumour cells hijack the homeostatic controls that operate in normal stem cells, eliminating those that maintain stem cell quiescence.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Cancer Letters |
| Volume | 272 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Pages (from-to) | 23-31 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| ISSN | 0304-3835 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 8 Dec 2008 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
- Cell Differentiation
- Cell Division
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Foreskin
- GTP-Binding Proteins
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Genetic Markers
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Infant, Newborn
- Keratinocytes
- Male
- Mouth Mucosa
- Mouth Neoplasms
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- RNA, Messenger
- RNA, Neoplasm
- Skin
- Stem Cells