Development of cancer-initiating cells and immortalized cells with genomic instability

Figure 1 Model of cellular immortalization in association with genomic instability. As illustrated in mouse embryonic fibroblasts, immortality is induced by genomic instability and mutation of either Arf or p53. Growth arrest and the downregulation of H2AX protect mouse embryonic fibroblasts against immortalization. Because H2AX downregulation is dependent on the ARF/p53 module, cells with mutations in this module recover H2AX expression and growth activity. CIN: Chromosomal instability; MSI: Microsatellite instability.