en 31057717 <p>Background: Colon tumor is generated and maintained by a small subset of chemo-resistant cancer cells known as Cancer Stem-like Cells (CSCs) that are able to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types within the cancer milieu. CSCs are identified through expression of CD133 that is the most important surface marker of these cells. Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) is another colon CSCs marker. Other markers that are probably involved in colon tumorigenesis are Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled Receptor 5 (LGR5), B cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus insertion site 1 (BMI1) and Ten-Eleven Translocations (TETs).&nbsp;<br /> Methods: Here, mRNA expression rates of <em>LGR5</em>, <em>BMI1</em> and <em>TETs</em> were surveyed by real-time PCR. After collection and digestion, colon samples were used to isolate CD133 and EpCAM positive CSCs through evaluation of AC133 EpCAM by Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (MACS) and flow cytometry. Real-time PCR was carried out for assessing expressions of LGR5, BMI1 and TETs.&nbsp;<br /> Results: High expressions for <em>LGR5</em>, <em>BMI1</em>, <em>TET1</em> and <em>TET2</em> in the CD133 and EpCAM positive CSCs (p&le;0.05 <em>vs.</em> non-CSCs) were found. <em>TET3</em>, however, showed no significant changes for mRNA expression in the CSCs.&nbsp;<br /> Conclusion: In conclusion, high mRNA expressions for <em>LGR5</em>, <em>BMI1</em>, <em>TET1</em> and <em>TET2</em> in the CD133 and EpCAM positive CSCs may be a useful criterion for better identification of the cells involved in colon cancer in order to specify therapeutic targets against this type of cancer.</p> Colon, Flow cytometry, Molony murine leukemia virus, Neoplastic stem cells 156 161 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=10361 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/10361.pdf NaderAtlasyDepartment of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran859FardinAmidiDepartment of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran804KeywanMortezaeeDepartment of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran915Mohammad Sadegh FazeliDepartment of Surgery, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran11407Seyed JavadMowlaDepartment of Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran248FatemehMalekDepartment of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran11408