Embryonic stem (ES) cells and embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells: opposite sides of the same coin

Abstract

Embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells are the stem cells of teratocarcinomas, and the malignant counterparts of embryonic stem (ES) cells derived from the inner cell mass of blastocyst-stage embryos, whether human or mouse. On prolonged culture in vitro, human ES cells acquire karyotypic changes that are also seen in human EC cells. They also 'adapt', proliferating faster and becoming easier to maintain with time in culture. Furthermore, when cells from such an 'adapted' culture were inoculated into a SCID (severe combined immunodeficient) mouse, we obtained a teratocarcinoma containing histologically recognizable stem cells, which grew out when the tumour was explanted into culture and exhibited properties of the starting ES cells. In these features, the 'adapted' ES cells resembled malignant EC cells. The results suggest that ES cells may develop in culture in ways that mimic changes occurring in EC cells during tumour progression.

Stem cell transplantation therapy for multifaceted therapeutic benefits after stroke

“…ECs were first discovered in spontaneous testicular carcinomas (Stevens and Little, 1954) and are believed to be the malignant counterparts to ES cells. In fact, as ES cells become karyotypically abnormal in cell culture, they acquire many of the same mutations as those seen in ECs (Andrews et al , 2005; Baker et al , 2007; Harrison et al , 2007). Human ES cells are routinely screened for karyotypic changes, but small additions and deletions within a chromosome, changes in mitochondrial DNA, and epigenetic changes that occur in culture can also select for populations of undifferentiated stem cells (Maitra et al , 2005; Werbowetski-Ogilvie et al , 2009).…”

Labeling of neuronal differentiation and neuron cells with biocompatible fluorescent nanodiamonds

“…Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells derived from inner mass of blastocytes34. ES cells express specific stem cell markers of transcription factors, such as Oct-4, Sox2 and NANOG5678. Somatic cells can be induced back to pluripotency by the stimulation of transcription factors, Oct3/4, Sox2, c-Myc, and Klf4, that called induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells910.…”

“…Moreover, stem cells also express other stem cell markers on the cell surface, such as stage-specific embryonic antigen (SSEA)-1 in mouse11 and SSEA-4 in human12. Embryonal carcinoma stem (ECS) cells are considered to be the malignant counterparts of ES cells4813. ECS cells were similar to ES cells in morphology, marker expression and growth behavior813.…”

“…Embryonal carcinoma stem (ECS) cells are considered to be the malignant counterparts of ES cells4813. ECS cells were similar to ES cells in morphology, marker expression and growth behavior813. These stem cells were derived from teratocarcinoma that could alter the phenotype from the malignant to non-malignant after differentiation4141516.…”

Expression of the erythropoietin receptor by germline-derived cells - further support for a potential developmental link between the germline and hematopoiesis

“…First, there is the existence of classical germline tumors seen in patients with seminomas, ovarian tumors, yolk sac tumors, mediastinal or brain germ cell tumors, teratomas, and teratocarcinomas [60,61]. Second, several types of cancer cells express cancer testis (C/T) antigens (~40 identified), which are encoded by genes that are normally expressed only in the human germline but are also often expressed unexpectedly in various non-gonadal tumor types (e.g., gastric, lung, liver, and bladder carcinomas) [62,63].…”