Co-expression of the Follicle Stimulating Hormone Receptor and Stem Cell Markers: A Novel Approach to Target Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells
Abstract
The purpose of this project is to determine whether the Follicle-stimulating Hormone Receptor (FSHR) is co-expressed with a sufficient number of ovarian cancer stem cell markers to consider it as a new experimental target for novel nanotechnology approaches capable of destroying ovarian cancer stem/progenitor cells (OCSCs). The work scope involves determining whether: 1) ovarian cancer ascites cells co-express the FSHR and several OCSCs (as determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting [FACS] and RT-PCR), 2) cultures cloned from a single cell demonstrate co-expression and 3) ascites cells/tumors formed in nude mice continue to co-express the FSHR and relevant markers. To date, we have demonstrated that the FSHR is definitively co-expressed with the OCSC markers CD44, CD133, Notch 2, and Nanog (FACS and/or mRNA; replicated), marginally expressed with Notch 3, Oct 4, ALDH1, and LGR5 (require additional replicates) and is not co-expressed with Notch 1 or 4, CD117, or ABCG2. FSHR /Notch 2-expressing cells in primary culture expressed FSHR mRNA after several generations in an amount consistent with stem cell characteristics. Nude mouse experiments have demonstrated proof-ofprincipal and are on-going to confirm co-expression in vitro. These results are very encouraging and if extended could justify further experimentation to ascertain whether the FSHR might be a realistic target enabling very specific destruction of OCSCs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA601386
Entities
People
- David W. Schomberg
Organizations
- Duke University