BackgroundCells within breast cancer stem cell populations have been confirmed to have a CD44+CD24− phenotype. Strong expression of CD44 plays a critical role in numerous types of human cancers. CD44 is involved in cell differentiation, adhesion, and metastasis of cancer cells.MethodsIn this study, we reduced CD44 expression in CD44+CD24− breast cancer stem cells and investigated their sensitivity to an antitumor drug. The CD44+CD24− breast cancer stem cells were isolated from breast tumors; CD44 expression was downregulated with siRNAs followed by treatment with different concentrations of the antitumor drug.ResultsThe proliferation of CD44 downregulated CD44+CD24− breast cancer stem cells was decreased after drug treatment. We noticed treated cells were more sensitive to doxorubicin, even at low doses, compared with the control groups.ConclusionsIt would appear that expression of CD44 is integral among the CD44+CD24− cell population. Reducing the expression level of CD44, combined with doxorubicin treatment, yields promising results for eradicating breast cancer stem cells in vitro. This study opens a new direction in treating breast cancer through gene therapy in conjunction with chemotherapy.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells. They are able to differentiate into functional cells from not only mesoderm but also endoderm. Many researches showed that cells derived from fresh human UCB could transdifferentiate into insulin-secreting cells. In this study, transdifferentiating potential of cryopreserved human UCB-derived MSCs into insulin-secreting cell was investigated. Fresh human UCB was enriched the mononuclear cells by Ficoll-Paque centrifugation. The mononuclear cell population was cryopreserved in cryo-medium containing Iscove's modified Dulbecco's media (IMDM) with 10% DMSO at -196°C for 1 yr. After thawing, mononuclear cells were cultured to isolate MSCs in medium IMDM with 20% FBS supplemented with growth factors. At the fifth passages, MSCs were confirmed by flow cytometry about expression of CD13, CD14, CD34, CD45, CD166, and HLA-DR markers; after that, they were induced to differentiate into adipocytes and osteoblasts. After inducing with specific medium for islet differentiation, there were many clusters of cell like islet at day 14-28. Using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to analyze the expression of functional genes, the result showed that Nestin, Pdx-1, Ngn3, Ils-1, Pax6, Pax4, Nkx2.2, Nkx6.1, Glut-2, Insulin genes expressed. The results showed that MSCs derived from banked cord blood can differentiate into functional pancreatic islet-like cells in vitro. If human MSCs, especially MSCs from banked cord blood of diabetes patients themselves can be isolated, proliferated, differentiated into functional pancreatic islet-like cells, and transplanted back into them (autologous transplantation), their high-proliferation potency and rejection avoidance will provide one promising therapy for diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when pancreatic islet β-cells are damaged and are thus unable to secrete insulin. Pancreas- or islet-grafting therapy offers highly efficient treatment but is limited by inadequate donor islets or pancreases for transplantation. Stem-cell therapy holds tremendous potential and promises to enhance treatment efficiency by overcoming the limitations of traditional therapies. In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of preclinical diabetic treatment. Diabetes was induced in mice by injections of streptozotocin. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were derived from mouse bone marrow or human umbilical cord blood and subsequently differentiated into insulin-producing cells. These insulin-producing cells were encapsulated in an alginate membrane to form capsules. Finally, these capsules were grafted into diabetic mice by intraperitoneal injection. Treatment efficiency was evaluated by monitoring body weight and blood glucose levels. Immune reactions after transplantation were monitored by counting total white blood cells. Allografting or xenografting of encapsulated insulin-producing cells (IPCs) reduced blood glucose levels and increased body weight following transplantation. Encapsulation with alginate conferred immune isolation and prevented graft rejection. These results provide further evidence supporting the use of allogeneic or xenogeneic MSCs obtained from bone marrow or umbilical cord blood for treating type 1 diabetes.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been put forward as promising therapeutics for end-stage liver disease (ESLD). In the present study, we compared the effects of defined chemicals and liver extract on the hepatic differentiation of ADSCs. ADSCs were isolated according to the method described in our previously published study. Subsequently, the differentiation of ADSCs was induced separately by chemicals (including hepatic growth factor (HGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and oncostatin M (OSM)) and liver extract (30 μg/ml) in a total period of 21 d. The efficiency of hepatic differentiation was evaluated by changes in the cell morphology, gene expression, and cellular function. The results showed that the liver extract promoted the hepatic differentiation of ADSCs to a significantly greater extent than the chemicals. In the group of ADSCs treated with liver extract, changes in the cell morphology began sooner, and the expression of alpha-FP and albumin genes was higher than that in the chemically treated group. The ADSCs in both the groups stained positive for anti-alpha trypsin (AAT) and albumin markers. The cells also exhibited glycogen storage capacity. Therefore, we concluded that the liver extract could efficiently induce the differentiation of ADSCs into hepatocyte-like cells. This study reveals the potential of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation in the liver extract, which supports further preclinical and clinical research on the application of ADSCs in ESLD treatment.