Colon Cancer Stem Cells
Colon Cancer Stem Cells
Norihiro Goto, Saori Goto, Omer Yilmaz
Koch Institute at MIT
The image visualizes the interaction between colon cancer stem cells and their surrounding "niche" cells. Engineered Lgr5-GFP; AKP colon cancer organoids were orthotopically transplanted to Rspo3-GFP; Grem1-tdTomato reporter mice. The researchers collected the primary tumors 4 weeks after the transplantation. This image shows 1) heterogeneity of Lgr5+ colon cancer stem cells and Lgr5- differentiated cells, and 2) expansion of Grem1-producing and/or RSPO3-producing surrounding “niche” cells. Visualization of cancer stem cells and their surrounding “niche” cells allows us to understand their complex interaction.