CD133, Trop-2 and α2β1 integrin surface receptors as markers of putative human prostate cancer stem cells

American Journal of Translational Research

Marco Trerotola¹ 

关键词: Prostate cancer;    cancer stem cells;    CD133;    Trop-2;    α;    2β;    1 integrin;    immunohistochemistry;   

DOI  :  

学科分类：医学（综合）

来源: e-Century Publishing Corporation

【 摘 要 】

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a key role in initiation and development of cancer and are attractive targets for therapy. The identification of CSC surface receptors to be used as therapeutic targets in vivo remains a difficult task. In this study, we assessed the expression pattern of three surface receptors: CD133, Trop-2 and α2β1 integrin in human prostate cancer in order to identify CSC-niches. CD133 was found to be expressed in small clusters of cells localized in focal areas of benign as well as malignant lesions, suggesting that this protein is a bona fide marker of the prostate stem/progenitor compartment. Trop-2 was localized in both basal and luminal layers of benign glands and was highly expressed in malignant lesions. Moreover, isolated cells in benign and malignant areas were found to co-express both CD133 and Trop-2. α2β1 integrin was expressed in the prostatic epithelium as well as in the surrounding stroma, limiting its utility as a marker of CSCs. In summary, we demonstrate that the combination of CD133 and Trop-2 is useful to mark putative CSC-containing compartments in human prostate.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC