Identification and analysis of cancer stem cells responsible for recurrence after irradiation

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25670796
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Pathobiological dentistry/Dental radiology
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: MIURA Masahiko 東京医科歯科大学, 医歯(薬)学総合研究科, 教授 (10272600)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 蛍光イメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to identify the position of cancer stem cells responsible for recurrence after irradiation. For this purpose, we established an oral cancer cell line expressing the Fucci probes (a cell cycle visualizing system) or proteasome-sensor probes (a cancer stem cell-visualizing system). After making spheroids, we found that the outer layer was green and inner region was red, and the latter was also proteasome-sensor positive. After irradiation, the outer layer almost became green and increased in its intensity. Thereafter, the outer turned to red and died, and the inner red cells became green with thickness of ~50μm. These results indicate that cancer stem cells exist in inner region and exhibit radioresitance, and the inner cells are recruited to proliferating state when growth conditions are given.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学