Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Efficient Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Liver Cells
Published on: June 11, 2019
The SHH/Gli axis regulates CD90-mediated liver cancer stem cell function by activating the IL6/JAK2 pathway
Ketao Zhang1,2, Siyao Che3, Chuzhi Pan4
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Abstract:
The cell surface antigen CD90 has recently been established as a promising marker for liver cancer stem cells. This study aimed to investigate potential implications of SHH/Gli signalling in CD90+ liver cancer stem cells. Correlation of the expression of SHH signalling components and CD90 in liver cancer cells and clinical tissues, as well as in enriched CD90+ liver cancer stem cells and the TCGA database, were analysed by quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting and flow cytometry. Functional analysis was conducted by siRNA-mediated CD90, Gli1 and Gli3 gene knockdown, SHH treatment and application of the JAK2 inhibitor AZD1480 and IL6 neutralizing antibody in CD90+ liver cancer stem cells, followed by cell proliferation, migration, sphere formation and tumorigenicity assays. CD90 expression exhibited a high positive correlation with Gli1 and Gli3 in multiple liver cancer cell lines and human cancerous liver tissues, both of which showed a significant increase in liver cancer. Analysis of TCGA data revealed an association of CD90, Gli1 and Gli3 with a short overall survival and positive correlation between CD90 expression and Gli3 expression level. The stem cell potentials of CD90+ 97L liver cancer cells were greatly impaired by Gli1/3 knockdown with siRNA but enhanced by SHH treatment. Application of the JAK2 inhibitor AZD1480 and IL6 neutralizing antibody showed the CD90 and SHH/Gli-regulated liver cancer stem cell functions were mediated by the IL6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway. The stem cell properties of CD90+ liver cancer cells are regulated by the downstream SHH/Gli and IL6/JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathways.
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Chromatin Structure Regulates pre-mRNA Processing
The chromatin structure, especially...
Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells
Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are tissue-specific; hence, they divide to develop the tissue from which they originate. One type of adult stem cell is the epithelial stem cell, which gives rise to the keratinocytes in the multiple layers of epithelial cells in the epidermis of the skin. Adult bone marrow has three distinct types of stem cells:...
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
Testosterone: Functions and Regulation
GTPases and their Regulation
Large G-proteins,...

