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Updated: Nov 28, 2025
Patient Derived Cell Culture and Isolation of CD133+ Putative Cancer Stem Cells from Melanoma
Published on: March 13, 2013
Expression of the stem cell marker CD133 in malignant meningioma
Abstract:
The stem cell marker CD133 has been sporadically investigated in meningioma, but because of the rarity of malignant meningioma (WHO grade III), only 7 malignant meningioma specimens have been included in previous studies. We investigated CD133 expression using the AC133 antibody clone in a consecutive cohort of 38 malignant meningiomas. Our results showed few, small CD133-positive hot spots with a pattern dominated by membranous staining and capping of the proteins without any nuclear CD133 staining in 30 of the 38 tumors. We could not corroborate spatial co-expression of hot spots with the proliferative marker, Ki-67, and CD133 hot spots in adjacent slides, nor did we find differences between Ki-67 expression in CD133-negative and -positive tumor specimens (Fisher's exact test: p = 0.69). CD13-positive niches represented only 0 - 1% of meningioma cells in most of the malignant meningioma, while CD133-positive cells were undetectable in 21% of the whole-section tumor samples. We found stem cell niches in 79% of malignant meningioma specimens in our cohort.
Insights
Malignant meningioma (WHO grade III) rarely shows stem cell marker CD133 expression. While stem cell niches were found in most tumors, CD133 expression was limited and not linked to proliferation markers.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Cancer Stem Cell Biology
- Tumor Microenvironment
Background:
- CD133 is a stem cell marker with limited investigation in meningioma.
- Malignant meningioma (WHO grade III) is rare, hindering previous CD133 expression studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate CD133 expression in a large cohort of malignant meningiomas.
- To determine the prevalence and characteristics of CD133-positive cells in these tumors.
- To assess the relationship between CD133 expression and proliferation marker Ki-67.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of CD133 expression using the AC133 antibody clone.
- Consecutive cohort of 38 malignant meningioma specimens.
- Assessment of spatial co-expression with Ki-67 on adjacent slides.
Main Results:
- CD133 expression was observed as few, small hot spots in 30/38 tumors, primarily membranous with capping.
- No nuclear CD133 staining was detected.
- No significant correlation was found between CD133 expression and Ki-67.
- CD133-positive cells constituted a minimal fraction (0-1%) of tumor cells, undetectable in 21% of samples.
- Stem cell niches were identified in 79% of malignant meningioma specimens.
Conclusions:
- CD133 expression is sparse in malignant meningioma.
- The presence of stem cell niches does not directly correlate with CD133 expression levels or proliferation.
- Further research is needed to understand the role of CD133 in meningioma pathogenesis.
