Abstract :
[en] The stem cells involved in formation of the complex human body are epithelial cells that
undergo apicobasal polarization and form a hollow lumen. Epithelial plasticity manifests as
epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process by which epithelial cells switch their
polarity and epithelial features to adopt a mesenchymal phenotype. The connection between the EMT program and acquisition of stemness is now supported by a substantial number of reports, although what discriminates these two processes remains largely elusive. In this study, based on 3D organoid culture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-derived cell lines and AAV8-based protein overexpression in the mouse liver, we show that activity modulation of isoform δ of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3Kδ) controls differentiation and discriminates between stemness and EMT by regulating the transforming growth factor (TGF) signalling. Thus, providing an important tool to control epithelial cell fate and represents a step forward in understanding the development of aggressive carcinoma.
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