CD133 controls cell-cell adhesion and is required for tumorigenicity of CCC stem cells.

<p>(A) CCC stem cells were infected with a lentivirus expressing an shRNA targeting CD133. Cells were subjected to mechanical stress by pipetting in PBS containing 1 mM CaCl₂ and 0.5 mM MgCl₂. Representative images are shown (upper). The bar graph represents the ratio of cell number/cluster number (lower). Error bars represent the s.d. (<i>n</i> = 3). <i>p</i> = 0.011 with comparison to control shRNA by t test. (B) CCC stem cells were treated as described in (A). Cell lysates were subjected to immunoblotting with antibodies to the indicated proteins. (C) CCC stem cells were treated as described in (A). Cells were immunostained with antibodies to the indicated proteins (red). TO-PRO-3 iodide was used for nuclear DNA staining (blue). Scale bars represent 20 µm. (D) CCC stem cells were treated as described in (A). Cells were subcutaneously transplanted into immunocompromised mice (<i>n</i> = 3). Eleven months after transplantation, mice (upper) and tumors (middle) were photographed. The bar graph represents tumor weight (lower). Error bars represent the s.d. (<i>n</i> = 3). <i>p</i> = 0.007 with comparison to control shRNA by t test.