Genetic profiling of different phenotypic subsets of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) in breast cancer patients

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) have a crucial role in breast carcinogenesis, development, and progression. The aim of the current study is to characterize the BCSCs through the genetic profiling of different BCSCs phenotypic subsets to determine their related genetic pathways. Fresh tumor tissue samples were obtained from 31 breast cancer (BC) patients for (1) Mammosphere culture. (2) Magnetic separation of the BCSCs subsets using CD24, CD44, and CD326 Microbeads. (3) Flow cytometry (FCM) assay using CD44, CD24, and EpCAM. (4) RT-PCR profiler Arrays using stem cell (SC) panel of 84 genes for four group of cells (1) CD44 /CD24 /EpCAM BCSCs, (2) CD44 /CD24 /EpCAM BCSCs, (3) mammospheres, and (4) normal breast tissues. The BCSCs (CD44 /CD24 /EpCAM ) showed significant downregulation in 13 genes and upregulation in 15, where the CD44, GJB1 and GDF3 showed the maximal expression (P = 0.001, P = 0.003 and P = 0.007); respectively). The CD44 /CD24 /EpCAM BCSCs showed significant upregulation in 28 genes, where the CD44, GDF3, and GJB1 showed maximal expression (P