The heterogeneity of cancer stem cells (CSCs) within tumors presents a challenge in therapeutic targeting. To decipher the cellular plasticity that fuels phenotypic heterogeneity, we undertook single-cell transcriptomics analysis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) to identify subpopulations in CSCs. We found a subpopulation of CSCs with ancestral features that is marked by FXYD domain–containing ion transport regulator 3 (FXYD3), a component of the Na+/K+ pump. Accordingly, FXYD3+ CSCs evolve and proliferate, while displaying traits of alveolar progenitors that are normally induced during pregnancy. Clinically, FXYD3+ CSCs were persistent during neoadjuvant chemotherapy, hence linking them to drug-tolerant persisters (DTPs) and identifying them as crucial therapeutic targets. Importantly, FXYD3+ CSCs were sensitive to senolytic Na+/K+ pump inhibitors, such as cardiac glycosides. Together, our data indicate that FXYD3+ CSCs with ancestral features are drivers of plasticity and chemoresistance in TNBC. Targeting the Na+/K+ pump could be an effective strategy to eliminate CSCs with ancestral and DTP features that could improve TNBC prognosis.
Mengjiao Li, Tatsunori Nishimura, Yasuto Takeuchi, Tsunaki Hongu, Yuming Wang, Daisuke Shiokawa, Kang Wang, Haruka Hirose, Asako Sasahara, Masao Yano, Satoko Ishikawa, Masafumi Inokuchi, Tetsuo Ota, Masahiko Tanabe, Kei-ichiro Tada, Tetsu Akiyama, Xi Cheng, Chia-Chi Liu, Toshinari Yamashita, Sumio Sugano, Yutaro Uchida, Tomoki Chiba, Hiroshi Asahara, Masahiro Nakagawa, Shinya Sato, Yohei Miyagi, Teppei Shimamura, Luis Augusto E. Nagai, Akinori Kanai, Manami Katoh, Seitaro Nomura, Ryuichiro Nakato, Yutaka Suzuki, Arinobu Tojo, Dominic C. Voon, Seishi Ogawa, Koji Okamoto, Theodoros Foukakis, Noriko Gotoh
Usage data is cumulative from November 2023 through May 2024.
Usage | JCI | PMC |
---|---|---|
Text version | 4,239 | 278 |
1,004 | 143 | |
Figure | 1,382 | 8 |
Supplemental data | 329 | 51 |
Citation downloads | 68 | 0 |
Totals | 7,022 | 480 |
Total Views | 7,502 |
Usage information is collected from two different sources: this site (JCI) and Pubmed Central (PMC). JCI information (compiled daily) shows human readership based on methods we employ to screen out robotic usage. PMC information (aggregated monthly) is also similarly screened of robotic usage.
Various methods are used to distinguish robotic usage. For example, Google automatically scans articles to add to its search index and identifies itself as robotic; other services might not clearly identify themselves as robotic, or they are new or unknown as robotic. Because this activity can be misinterpreted as human readership, data may be re-processed periodically to reflect an improved understanding of robotic activity. Because of these factors, readers should consider usage information illustrative but subject to change.