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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Isolation of CD133+ Liver Stem Cells for Clonal Expansion
Published on: October 10, 2011
Strong expression of CD133 is associated with increased cholangiocarcinoma progression
Kawin Leelawat1, Taweesak Thongtawee, Siriluck Narong
1Department of Surgery, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand. kawin.leelawat@gmail.com
Aim:
To determine the role of CD133 in cholangiocarcinoma progression.
Methods:
CD133 protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 34 cholangiocarcinoma specimens. In addition, proliferation, chemoresistance and invasive properties of CD133-enriched (CD133(+)) and CD133-depleted (CD133(-)) RMCCA1 cholangiocarcinoma cells were studied and compared.
Results:
Strong CD133 expression was observed in 67.6% (23/34) of the cholangiocarcinoma specimens. Strong expression of CD133 was significantly associated with nodal metastasis (P = 0.009) and positive surgical margin status (P = 0.011). In the in vitro study, both the CD133(+) and CD133(-) cells had similar proliferation abilities and resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. However, the CD133(+) cells had a higher invasive ability compared with CD133(-) cells.
Conclusion:
CD133+ cells play an important role in the invasiveness of cholangiocarcinoma. Targeting of the CD133+ cells may be a useful approach to improve treatment against cholangiocarcinoma.
