1B50-1, a mAb raised against recurrent tumor cells, targets liver tumor-initiating cells by binding to the calcium channel α2δ1 subunit

Wei Zhao, Limin Wang, Haibo Han, Kemin Jin, Na Lin, Ting Guo, Yangde Chen, Heping Cheng, Fengmin Lu, Weigang Fang, Yu Wang, Baocai Xing, Zhiqian Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

148 Scopus citations

Abstract

The identification and targeted therapy of cells involved in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence remain challenging. Here, we generated a monoclonal antibody against recurrent HCC, 1B50-1, that bound the isoform 5 of the α2δ1 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels and identified a subset of tumor-initiating cells (TICs) with stem cell-like properties. A surgical margin with cells detected by 1B50-1 predicted rapid recurrence. Furthermore, 1B50-1 had a therapeutic effect on HCC engraftments by eliminating TICs. Finally, α2δ1 knockdown reduced self-renewal and tumor formation capacities and induced apoptosis of TICs, whereas its overexpression led to enhanced sphere formation, which is regulated by calcium influx. Thus, α2δ1 is a functional liver TIC marker, and its inhibitors may serve as potential anti-HCC drugs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)541-556
Number of pages16
JournalCancer cell
Volume23
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 15 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

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