ABSTRACT
Although the role of metastatic cancer stem cells (mCSCs) in tumor progression has been well documented, our study reveals a hitherto unidentified role of tumorigenic intrinsic CSCs (iCSCs) in breast cancer metastasis. We show that unlike highly migratory mCSCs residing in the breast tumor disseminating/peripheral regions, iCSCs populate the inner mass of the tumor and are non-migratory. However iCSCs, via paracrine signaling, induce conversion of non-stem cancer cells to CSCs that (i) are identical to the previously reported mCSCs, and (ii) in contrast to iCSCs, express chemokine receptor, chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4), which is crucial for their metastatic potential. These mCSCs also demonstrate high in vivo tumorigenicity. Physical non-participation of iCSCs in metastasis is further validated in vivo, where only mCSCs are found to exist in the metastatic sites, lymph nodes and bone marrow, whereas the primary tumor retains both iCSCs and mCSCs. However, iCSCs ensure metastasis since their presence is crucial for deliverance of highly metastatic CXCR4(+) mCSCs to the migrating fraction of cells. Cumulatively, these results unveil a novel role of iCSCs in breast cancer metastasis as parental regulators of CXCR4(+) mCSCs, and highlight the therapeutic requisite of targeting iCSCs, but not CXCR4(+) mCSCs, to restrain breast cancer metastasis from the root by inhibiting the generation of mCSCs from iCSCs. Considering the pivotal role of iCSCs in tumor metastasis, the possibility of metastasis to be a 'stem cell phenomena' is suggested.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Cell Movement/genetics , Neoplastic Stem Cells/pathology , Receptors, CXCR4/genetics , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Carcinogenesis/genetics , Female , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Humans , Lymph Nodes/pathology , MCF-7 Cells , Neoplasm Metastasis , Receptors, CXCR4/biosynthesis , Signal TransductionABSTRACT
A novel hybrid nanocomposite has been prepared using in situ incorporation of nano-sized filler (silica) onto carboxymethyl tamarind kernel polysaccharide (CMT). Various characterizations were employed to confirm that silica nano particles have been incorporated onto the polymer matrix. Rheological characteristics reveal stronger CMT-Si interaction at 0.5 and 1 wt% level. Beyond 1 wt% Si concentration, the interaction is less and so there is little drop in shear viscosity. Flocculation efficiency increases with incorporation of nano filler, maximum efficacy being observed at 1 wt% silica concentration. All the nanocomposites exhibited better flocculation characteristics in comparison to pure CMT.
