RNAi mediated silencing of Nanog expression suppresses the growth of human colorectal cancer stem cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common in world known for its poor recurrence-free prognosis. Previous studies have shown that it closely linked with stem cells (CSCs), which self-renewal potential and capacity to differentiate into diverse populations. Nanog an important transcription factor functions maintain proliferation of embryonic cells; however, many recent also highly expressed cells. To investigate whether plays a crucial role maintaining stemness colorectal CSCs, RNA interference was used downregulate expression CRC cell line, EpCAM+CD44+HCT-116 (CCSCs). We examined anti-tumor function vitro vivo, using small interfering RNA. Our results revealed mRNA level CCSCs higher than HCT-116 found depletion inhibited promoted apoptosis CCSCs. In addition, invasive ability markedly restricted when silenced by Furthermore, we silencing decreased tumor size weight improved survival rate tumor-bearing mice. conclusion, these findings collectively demonstrate Nanog, cells, key development growth, may serve as marker prognosis novel effective therapeutic target treatment CRC.