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Piwil2-transfected human fibroblasts are cancer stem cell-like and genetically unstable

Deying Zhang1, Xin Wu1, Xing Liu1

  • 1Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China.

Oncotarget
|January 20, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Researchers reprogrammed child fibroblasts using the apoptosis inhibitor gene PIWIL2, creating induced tumorigenic cells (ITGC). These cells promote cancer development, offering a new tool for oncogenesis research and potential therapeutic strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Gene Therapy

Background:

  • Uncontrolled cell proliferation and apoptosis inhibition are critical in cancer development and recurrence.
  • The PIWIL2 gene's role in cancer initiation and maintenance requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To generate a novel cell line by reprogramming fibroblasts with the PIWIL2 gene.
  • To investigate the potential of PIWIL2 in inducing tumorigenicity and its implications for cancer research.

Main Methods:

  • Reprogramming of child foreskin fibroblasts using the full-length PIWIL2 gene.
  • Characterization of transfected cells for stem cell and germline markers (OCT-4, NANOG, SOX-2, KLF-4, C-MYC, AFP, GATA6, ACTA2, BRACHYURY, NESTIN, TUBB3).
  • In vivo tumorigenicity assay via subcutaneous injection into nude mice.

Main Results:

  • PIWIL2-transfected fibroblasts expressed pluripotency and germline markers.
  • The cells exhibited hyperdiploid karyotype.
  • Subcutaneous injection led to tumor formation within 5 weeks, but not teratomas.
  • The study identified PIWIL2 as a potential cancer induction and maintenance gene.

Conclusions:

  • The PIWIL2 gene may play a significant role in cancer induction and maintenance.
  • The generation of induced tumorigenic cells (ITGC) provides a novel research model for studying oncogenesis.
  • This approach could advance understanding of cancer etiology and the development of new anti-cancer therapies.
Keywords:
cancer stem cellfibroblastgene transfectiononcogenesispiwil2

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