Fusobacterium nucleatum produces cancer stem cell characteristics via EMT-resembling variations.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: in colorectal cancer (CRC) in vitro. METHODS: . Western blot (WB) and real-time PCR were used for detecting EMT markers' expression. CSC-resembling phenotypes were observed through migration, intrusion, and spherical colony formation assays. Flow cytometry was employed for sorting, based on the expression of CD44. RESULTS: cells. Finally, we demonstrated IL-6/STAT3 pathway was involved in EMT-CSC-resembling behavior of CRC cells. CONCLUSION: reveals CSC-resembling characteristics through activating IL-6/STAT3 and eliciting EMT-resembling variations in colorectal epithelial cells (CECs).