Expression of NANOG gene in cervical cancer and its significance / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the expression of NANOG gene in cervical cancer and its effect on the development of the cancer. Methods By using immunohistochemistry, NANOG expression levels were demonstrated in normal cervical tissues, cervical cancer in situ and cervical cancer tissues. Tumor sphere cells from cervical cancer tissue and their differentiated cells were injected into nude mice to observe the tumor growth. Results When compared with that of the normal cervical tissue, significantly higher NANOG protein expression level was found in cervical cancer and cervical cancer in situ (P<0.05). Tumor spheres were formed from the non-serum culture of cervical cancer tissue and the spheres could differentiate into epithelial-like cells. The sphere cells of cervical cancer caused tumor formation in nude mice. Conclusion The results suggest that cancer stem cells are present in cervical cancer and NANOG may play a crucial role in the development of cervical cancer.