Characterization of human embryonic stem cells with features of neoplastic progression
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ABSTRACT: Cultured human embryonic stem (hES) cells can acquire genetic and epigenetic changes that make them vulnerable to transformation. As hES cells with cancer-cell characteristics share properties with normal hES cells, such as self-renewal, teratoma formation and the expression of pluripotency markers, they may be misconstrued as superior hES cells with enhanced ‘stemness’. We characterize two variant hES cell lines (v-hESC-1 and v-hESC-2) that express pluripotency markers at high levels and do not harbor chromosomal abnormalities by standard cytogenetic measures. We show that the two lines possess some features of neoplastic progression, including a high proliferative capacity, growth-factor independence, a 9- to 20-fold increase in frequency of tumor initiating cells, niche independence and aberrant lineage specification, although they are not malignant. Array comparative genomic hybridization revealed an amplification at 20q11.1-11.2 in v-hESC-1 and a deletion at 5q34a-5q34b;5q3 and a mosaic gain of chromosome 12 in v-hESC-2. These results emphasize the need for functional characterization to distinguish partially transformed and normal hES cells.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE13995 | GEO | 2008/12/25
SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA112493
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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