Human melanoma-initiating cells express neural crest nerve growth factor receptor CD271
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Melanoma tumor stem cells (MTSCs) can be isolated as CD271(+) cells. These CD271(+) cells initiate melanoma tumors and can metastasize, explaining limited T-cell therapy efficacy.
Area Of Science
- Oncology
- Cancer Stem Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background
- The existence of tumorigenic cancer stem cells in human melanomas is a recent area of investigation.
- Understanding melanoma tumor stem cells (MTSCs) is crucial for developing effective cancer therapies.
Purpose Of The Study
- To prospectively isolate and characterize tumorigenic cancer stem cells in human melanomas.
- To investigate the tumor-initiating capacity and metastatic potential of identified melanoma cell populations.
Main Methods
- Prospective isolation of CD271(+) melanoma cells using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).
- Transplantation of isolated cells into immunodeficient mice (Rag2(-/-)gammac(-/-)) with engrafted human skin or bone.
- Assessment of tumor formation and metastasis in vivo.
- Analysis of antigen expression (TYR, MART1, MAGE) on CD271(+) melanoma cells.
Main Results
- A highly enriched CD271(+) MTSC population was successfully isolated, maximizing viable cell transplantation.
- The CD271(+) cell subset was the primary tumor-initiating population in 90% of tested melanomas.
- Transplanted CD271(+) cells formed melanomas and exhibited metastatic potential in mice.
- CD271(+) melanoma cells frequently lacked expression of TYR, MART1, and MAGE antigens.
Conclusions
- CD271(+) cells represent the tumorigenic cancer stem cells in human melanomas.
- The identified MTSC population's ability to initiate tumors and metastasize has significant implications for melanoma treatment.
- The lack of specific antigen expression on CD271(+) cells may explain the limited efficacy of T-cell therapies targeting these antigens.