CD44(high) /ALDH1(high) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells exhibit mesenchymal characteristics and GSK3β-dependent cancer stem cell properties.

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CD44(high) /ALDH1(high) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells exhibit mesenchymal characteristics and GSK3β-dependent cancer stem cell properties.

J Oral Pathol Med. 2016 Mar;45(3):180-8

Authors: Seino S, Shigeishi H, Hashikata M, Higashikawa K, Tobiume K, Uetsuki R, Ishida Y, Sasaki K, Naruse T, Rahman MZ, Ono S, Simasue H, Ohta K, Sugiyama M, Takechi M

Abstract
BACKGROUND: CD44 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) have been shown to be useful markers for identification of cancer stem cells (CSCs). We previously reported that glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) is involved in regulation of the self-renewal ability of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) CSCs. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the role of GSK3β in CD44(high) /ALDH1(high) HNSCC cells.
METHODS: Cells with greater expression of CD44 and higher ALDH1 enzymatic activity were FACS sorted from the OM-1 HNSCC cell line. The self-renewal ability of CD44(high) /ALDH1(high) cells was then examined using a tumor sphere formation assay. mRNA expressions of the stem cell markers Sox2, Oct4, and Nanog, as well as GSK3β were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR.
RESULTS: CD44(high) /ALDH1(high) cells exhibited higher tumor sphere forming ability and increased expression of stem cell markers as compared with CD44(high) /ALDH1(low) cells. Interestingly, spindle-shaped cells positive for vimentin were found in the CD44(high) /ALDH1(high) but not the CD44(high) /ALDH1(low) cell population. In addition, the ALDH1 activity and sphere forming ability of CD44(high) /ALDH1(high) cells was significantly inhibited by GSK3β knockdown. On the other hand, CD44(high) /ALDH1(low) cells exhibited high epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and increased cell growth.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that GSK3β plays a major role in maintenance of stemness of CD44(high) /ALDH1(high) HNSCC cells. Additionally, they indicate a close relationship between CSC and mesenchymal characteristics in HNSCC.

PMID: 26399460 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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