The Cancer Stem Cell (CSC) model is describing tumors as a hierarchical organized system and CSCs are suggested to be responsible for cancer recurrence after therapy. The identification of specific markers of CSCs is therefore of paramount importance. Here we show that high levels of Lipid Droplets (LDs) are a distinctive mark of CSCs in colorectal (CR) cancer. This increased lipid content was clearly revealed by label free Raman spectroscopy and it directly correlates with well‐accepted CR‐CSCs markers as CD133 and Wnt pathway activity. By xenotransplantation experiments, we have finally demonstrated that CR‐CSCs overexpressing LDs retain most tumorigenic potential. A relevant conceptual advance in this work is the demonstration that a cellular organelle, the Lipid Droplet, is a signature of CSCs, in addition to molecular markers. A further functional characterization of LDs could lead soon to design new target therapies against CR‐CSCs.

Tirinato, L., Liberale, C., Di Franco, S., Candeloro, P., Benfante, A., La Rocca, R., et al. (2015). Lipid droplets: A New Player in Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells Unveiled by Spectroscopic Imaging. STEM CELLS, 33, 35-44 [10.1002/stem.1837].

Lipid droplets: A New Player in Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells Unveiled by Spectroscopic Imaging

DI FRANCO, Simone;TODARO, Matilde;STASSI, Giorgio;
2015-01-01

Abstract

The Cancer Stem Cell (CSC) model is describing tumors as a hierarchical organized system and CSCs are suggested to be responsible for cancer recurrence after therapy. The identification of specific markers of CSCs is therefore of paramount importance. Here we show that high levels of Lipid Droplets (LDs) are a distinctive mark of CSCs in colorectal (CR) cancer. This increased lipid content was clearly revealed by label free Raman spectroscopy and it directly correlates with well‐accepted CR‐CSCs markers as CD133 and Wnt pathway activity. By xenotransplantation experiments, we have finally demonstrated that CR‐CSCs overexpressing LDs retain most tumorigenic potential. A relevant conceptual advance in this work is the demonstration that a cellular organelle, the Lipid Droplet, is a signature of CSCs, in addition to molecular markers. A further functional characterization of LDs could lead soon to design new target therapies against CR‐CSCs.
2015
Settore MED/04 - Patologia Generale
Tirinato, L., Liberale, C., Di Franco, S., Candeloro, P., Benfante, A., La Rocca, R., et al. (2015). Lipid droplets: A New Player in Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells Unveiled by Spectroscopic Imaging. STEM CELLS, 33, 35-44 [10.1002/stem.1837].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10447/122257
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