Brief Article
Copyright ©2011 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Mar 7, 2011; 17(9): 1192-1198
Published online Mar 7, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i9.1192
Strong expression of CD133 is associated with increased cholangiocarcinoma progression
Kawin Leelawat, Taweesak Thongtawee, Siriluck Narong, Somboon Subwongcharoen, Sa-ad Treepongkaruna
Kawin Leelawat, Taweesak Thongtawee, Siriluck Narong, Somboon Subwongcharoen, Sa-ad Treepongkaruna, Department of Surgery, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
Kawin Leelawat, Somboon Subwongcharoen, Sa-ad Treepongkaruna, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
Author contributions: Leelawat K and Narong S performed the majority of the experiments; Leelawat K and Thongtawee T provided vital reagents and analytical tools; Leelawat K designed the study and wrote the manuscript; Subwongcharoen S and Treepongkaruna S coordinated and provided the collection of all the human material.
Supported by Rajavithi Hospital Project Grant and Thailand Research Fund (RSA52)
Correspondence to: Dr. Kawin Leelawat, Department of Surgery, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand. kawin.leelawat@gmail.com
Telephone: +66-2-3548080  Fax: +66-2-3548080
Received: November 5, 2010
Revised: December 16, 2010
Accepted: December 23, 2010
Published online: March 7, 2011
Abstract

AIM: To determine the role of CD133 in cholangiocarcinoma progression.

METHODS: CD133 protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 34 cholangiocarcinoma specimens. In addition, proliferation, chemoresistance and invasive properties of CD133-enriched (CD133+) and CD133-depleted (CD133-) RMCCA1 cholangiocarcinoma cells were studied and compared.

RESULTS: Strong CD133 expression was observed in 67.6% (23/34) of the cholangiocarcinoma specimens. Strong expression of CD133 was significantly associated with nodal metastasis (P = 0.009) and positive surgical margin status (P = 0.011). In the in vitro study, both the CD133+ and CD133- cells had similar proliferation abilities and resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. However, the CD133+ cells had a higher invasive ability compared with CD133- cells.

CONCLUSION: CD133+ cells play an important role in the invasiveness of cholangiocarcinoma. Targeting of the CD133+ cells may be a useful approach to improve treatment against cholangiocarcinoma.

Keywords: CD133; Cholangiocarcinoma; Immunohistochemistry; Invasion; Metastasis