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Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play essential role in the progression of many tumors. Wnt/β-catenin pathway is crucial in maintaining the stemness of CSCs. (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major bioactive component in green tea, has been shown to possess anti-cancer activity. To date, the interventional effect of EGCG on lung CSCs has not been elucidated yet. In the present study, tumorsphere formation assay was used to enrich lung CSCs from A549 and H1299 cells. We revealed that Wnt/β-catenin pathway was activated in lung CSCs, and downregulation of β-catenin, abolished lung CSCs traits. Our study further illustrated that EGCG effectively diminished lung CSCs activity by inhibiting tumorsphere formation, decreasing lung CSCs markers, suppressing proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Moreover, We showed that EGCG downregulated Wnt/β-catenin activation, while upregulation of Wnt/β-catenin dampened the inhibitory effects of EGCG on lung CSCs. Taken together, these results demonstrated the role of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in regulating lung CSCs traits and EGCG intervention of lung CSCs. Findings from this study could provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of lung CSCs intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: It has been well recognized that human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) level in breast cancer (BC) is closely related to the malignant biologic behaviors of the tumor, including invasion and metastasis. Yet, there has been a lack of directly observable evidence to support such notion. Here we report a quantum dots (QDs)-based double-color imaging technique to simultaneously show the HER2 level on BC cells and the type IV collagen in the tumor matrix. In benign breast tumor, the type IV collagen was intact. With the increasing of HER2 expression level, there has been a progressive decrease in type IV collagen around the cancer nest. At HER2 (3+) expression level, there has virtually been a total destruction of type IV collagen. Moreover, HER2 (3+) BC cells also show direct invasion into the blood vessels. This novel imaging method provides direct observable evidence to support the theory that the HER2 expression level is directly related to BC invasion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]