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Updated: Feb 17, 2026
In vitro Organoid Culture of Primary Mouse Colon Tumors
Published on: May 17, 2013
ALDH1A3 affects colon cancer in vitro proliferation and invasion depending on CXCR4 status
Hailiang Feng1,2, Yanyan Liu1, Xiaocui Bian1,2
1Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tsinghua University, #5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing 100005, China.
Background:
Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) has been widely used as a marker of cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, the ALDH family includes 19 members, and the most relevant isoforms and their biological functions in cancer biology are still controversial.
Methods:
We examined ALDH enzyme activity and the mRNA expression of 19 ALDH members in 58 human cell lines. The biological effect and mechanism of knocking down ALDH1A3 with siRNA and shRNA in cell lines were explored. Finally, the relationship between ALDH1A3 and CXCR4 was analysed in a large panel of cell lines.
Results:
ALDH1A3 is the key isoform that contributed to Aldefluor positivity in cell lines. Knocking down ALDH1A3 in different cancer cells conferred opposite phenotypes due to differential effects on CXCR4 expression. There was a significant negative correlation between ALDH1A3 and CXCR4 in 58 human cell lines.
Conclusions:
ALDH1A3 was the main contributor to Aldefluor positivity in human cell lines, and its contrasting effects might arise from differences in CXCR4 expression.
