Expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers in tumor tissues generated by side population and non-side population of A431 cells in NOD/SCID mice / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To isolate the side population (SP) and non-side population (NSP) cells from A431 cells and compare their difference in tumorigenicity in mice and the expression profiles of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A431 cells stained with Hoechst 33342 were sorted with flow cytometry. The isolated SP cells and NSP cells were inoculated into NOD/SCID mice and the tumorigenicity of the cells was observed. EMT markers E-cadherin, β-catenin, vimentin, AXL, and Erbb3 in the tumor tissues were detected by immunohisto-staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The tumors generated by SP cells were larger than those by NSP cells in NOD/SCID mice. Compared with the tumors generated by NSP cells, the cells in the periphery of tumors generated by SP cells showed up-regulated expressions of AXL, vimentin and β-catenin and down-regulated ERBB3 and E-cadherin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The SP cells in A431 cells have a strong tumorigenicity and show more EMT phenotypes in tissues.</p>