Features of the NCAM+c-Kit+ subset of hepatic progenitor cells in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma / 中华肝胆外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To identify the features of the NCAM+ c-Kit+ subset of hepatic progenitor cells in the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) cell line RBE.Method Magnetic activated cell sorting was used to isolate NCAM+ c-Kit+/NCAM-c-Kit-subset cells,which were tested for hepatic progenitor cell properties and proliferation,colony formation,and invasive abilities in nude mice.Resuits The cell proliferation ability of NCAM+c-Kit+ subset cells was stronger than that of NCAMc-Kit-subset cells (P＜0.01).In serum-free condition,the number of colonies formed by NCAM+c-Kit+ subset cells was more than that of NCAM-c-Kit-cells (P＜0.01).1 × 104 NCAM+c-Kit+ cells were enough to form tumors in nude mice after subcutaneous inoculation for two weeks,while 1 × 106 NCAM-c-Kit-cells were necessary to form tumors for three weeks.The tumor formation rate of NCAM+c-Kit+ cells was higher than that of NCAM-c-Kit-cells (P=0.04).Conclusions It is possible that NCAM+c-Kit+ subset cells in RBE have the properties of hepatic progenitor cells,and NCAM combined with c-Kit might be a valuable marker for isolating and purifying ICC stem/progenitor cells.