Open Access

Human cytomegalovirus infection enhances cell proliferation, migration and upregulation of EMT markers in colorectal cancer-derived stem cell-like cells

  • Authors:
    • Wan Huai Teo
    • Hsin-Pai Chen
    • Jason C. Huang
    • Yu-Jiun Chan
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: September 25, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2017.4135
  • Pages: 1415-1426
  • Copyright: © Teo et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Increasing evidence suggests a link between persistent human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection and cancer. Although the role of HCMV in cancer is still elusive, recent studies revealed the presence of HCMV nucleic acids and proteins in different cancer types such as glioblastoma, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers, and neuroblastoma. Although HCMV may not be directly associated with the neoplastic transformation, the presence of HCMV DNA in the tumorous tissue has been associated with altered clinical outcomes in cancer patients. However, the mechanisms involved in the association between colorectal cancer (CRC) and HCMV are unclear. In this study, we investigated the influence of HCMV infection on CRC or their derived cells. Proliferation and migration assays revealed a high infection efficiency in CRC-derived HT29 and SW480 ‘stem‑like’ cells. After 24, 48 and 72 h of HCMV infection, both HT29 and SW480 parental and stem‑like cells showed a significant increase in cell proliferation and viability (p<0.0001). Moreover, HCMV infection promoted cell migration. These results demonstrate a significant phenotypic alteration in the CRC cell line upon HCMV infection. Using epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) assays, we demonstrated that the EMT markers and driver genes were upregulated during the virus infection. The WNT signaling pathway, which is associated with the proliferation and migration of CRC cells, was upregulated (6-fold) in HCMV-infected cells as compared to the non‑infected cells at day 7 from infection.
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November-2017
Volume 51 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Teo WH, Chen H, Huang JC and Chan Y: Human cytomegalovirus infection enhances cell proliferation, migration and upregulation of EMT markers in colorectal cancer-derived stem cell-like cells. Int J Oncol 51: 1415-1426, 2017
APA
Teo, W.H., Chen, H., Huang, J.C., & Chan, Y. (2017). Human cytomegalovirus infection enhances cell proliferation, migration and upregulation of EMT markers in colorectal cancer-derived stem cell-like cells. International Journal of Oncology, 51, 1415-1426. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2017.4135
MLA
Teo, W. H., Chen, H., Huang, J. C., Chan, Y."Human cytomegalovirus infection enhances cell proliferation, migration and upregulation of EMT markers in colorectal cancer-derived stem cell-like cells". International Journal of Oncology 51.5 (2017): 1415-1426.
Chicago
Teo, W. H., Chen, H., Huang, J. C., Chan, Y."Human cytomegalovirus infection enhances cell proliferation, migration and upregulation of EMT markers in colorectal cancer-derived stem cell-like cells". International Journal of Oncology 51, no. 5 (2017): 1415-1426. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2017.4135