Open Access

Identification of new cancer stem cell markers and signaling pathways in HER‑2‑positive breast cancer by transcriptome sequencing

  • Authors:
    • Lu Feng
    • Shangke Huang
    • Gaili An
    • Guanying Wang
    • Shanzhi Gu
    • Xinhan Zhao
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: September 12, 2019     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2019.4876
  • Pages: 1003-1018
  • Copyright: © Feng et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)‑2‑positive breast cancer accounts for ~25% of all breast cancer cases, has a high propensity for relapse, metastasis and drug resistance, and is associated with a poor prognosis. Therefore, it is necessary to develop more effective therapeutic targets for the treatment of HER‑2‑positive breast cancer. CD44+/CD24‑/low is currently the most commonly used marker for breast cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are considered the main cause of drug resistance, relapse and metastasis. In the present study, the ratio of CD44+/CD24‑/low cells was almost zero in SK‑BR‑3 cells; however, it was >90% in MDA‑MB‑231 cells, as determined by flow cytometry. Since SK‑BR‑3 and MDA‑MB‑231 cells both exhibit a strong propensity for invasion and migration, it was hypothesized that there may be other markers of CSCs in SK‑BR‑3 cells. Therefore, transcriptome sequencing was performed for SK‑BR‑3 and MDA‑MB‑231 cells. It was observed that several leukocyte differentiation antigens and other CSC markers were significantly more highly expressed in SK‑BR‑3 cells. Furthermore, the expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)1A3, CD164 and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) was higher in SK‑BR‑3 cells compared with in other subtypes of breast cell lines, as determined by reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. In addition, the expression levels of ALDH1A3, ALDH3B2 and EpCAM were higher in HER‑2‑positive breast cancer compared with in paracancerous tissues and other subtypes of breast cancer, as determined by immunohistochemistry. The expression of β‑catenin in the Wnt signaling pathway was lower in SK‑BR‑3 cells compared with in MDA‑MB‑231 cells, which may be used as a prognostic indicator for breast cancer. These findings may help identify novel CSC markers and therapeutic targets for HER‑2‑positive breast cancer.
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November-2019
Volume 55 Issue 5

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

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Spandidos Publications style
Feng L, Huang S, An G, Wang G, Gu S and Zhao X: Identification of new cancer stem cell markers and signaling pathways in HER‑2‑positive breast cancer by transcriptome sequencing. Int J Oncol 55: 1003-1018, 2019
APA
Feng, L., Huang, S., An, G., Wang, G., Gu, S., & Zhao, X. (2019). Identification of new cancer stem cell markers and signaling pathways in HER‑2‑positive breast cancer by transcriptome sequencing. International Journal of Oncology, 55, 1003-1018. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2019.4876
MLA
Feng, L., Huang, S., An, G., Wang, G., Gu, S., Zhao, X."Identification of new cancer stem cell markers and signaling pathways in HER‑2‑positive breast cancer by transcriptome sequencing". International Journal of Oncology 55.5 (2019): 1003-1018.
Chicago
Feng, L., Huang, S., An, G., Wang, G., Gu, S., Zhao, X."Identification of new cancer stem cell markers and signaling pathways in HER‑2‑positive breast cancer by transcriptome sequencing". International Journal of Oncology 55, no. 5 (2019): 1003-1018. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2019.4876