Identification of CBX3 and ABCA5 as putative biomarkers for tumor stem cells in osteosarcoma

PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e41401. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041401. Epub 2012 Aug 3.

Abstract

Recently, there has been renewed interest in the role of tumor stem cells (TSCs) in tumorigenesis, chemoresistance, and relapse of malignant tumors including osteosarcoma. The potential exists to improve osteosarcoma treatment through characterization of TSCs and identification of therapeutic targets. Using transcriptome, proteome, immunophenotyping for cell-surface markers, and bioinformatic analyses, heterogeneous expression of previously reported TSC or osteosarcoma markers, such as CD133, nestin, POU5F1 (OCT3/4), NANOG, SOX2, and aldehyde dehydrogenase, among others, was observed in vitro. However, consistently significantly lower CD326, CD24, CD44, and higher ABCG2 expression in TSC-enriched as compared with un-enriched osteosarcoma cultures was observed. In addition, consistently higher CBX3 expression in TSC-enriched osteosarcoma cultures was identified. ABCA5 was identified as a putative biomarker of TSCs and/or osteosarcoma. Lastly, in a high-throughput screen we identified epigenetic (5-azacytidine), anti-microtubule (vincristine), and anti-telomerase (3,11-difluoro-6,8,13-trimethyl- 8H-quino [4,3,2-kl] acridinium methosulfate; RHPS4)-targeted therapeutic agents as candidates for TSC ablation in osteosarcoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / biosynthesis*
  • Adolescent
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Azacitidine / pharmacology
  • Azacitidine / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / biosynthesis*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / biosynthesis*
  • Femoral Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Femoral Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Femoral Neoplasms / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Osteosarcoma / drug therapy
  • Osteosarcoma / metabolism*
  • Osteosarcoma / pathology
  • Vincristine / pharmacology
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • ABCA5 protein, human
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CBX3 protein, human
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Vincristine
  • Azacitidine