CD133+ prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) have recently been identified in human prostate cancer tissues. The present study reports the integrin profile of prostate cancer progenitor cells and the role of α1 and β1 integrins in the homing and differentiation of PCSCs in vitro. PCSCs were isolated from the tissue specimens of patients with prostate cancer and the expression of surface integrins and adhesion patterns were determined. Our analysis of the expression of surface integrins and their adhesion patterns of prostate cancer stem cells derived from prostate cancer tissues revealed that the levels of β1 and α2β1 integrins were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of the other integrins. By contrast, peripheral blood-derived CD133+ cells from prostate cancer patients showed a high level of expression (P < 0.01) of α2β1, αvβ3, αvβ5, β1 and α1 integrins and a minimal expression of α4β1 integrins. Moreover, CD133+ cells derived from both prostate cancer tissues and peripheral blood exhibited an increased degree of attachment to extracellular matrix proteins (P < 0.001) and a high expression level of α2β1 integrin. In vitro experiments using blocking antibodies indicated that α1 and β1 integrins have a role in the homing and differentiation of PCSCs. This is the first report to suggest the importance of integrins in mediating the homing and differentiation of PCSCs.

Keywords: androgen receptor; extracellular matrix proteins; focal adhesion kinase; prostate-specific antigen

PDF | PDF | 中文摘要 |