Bmi1 Severs as a Potential Tumor-Initiating Cell Marker and Therapeutic Target in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Figure 4

The stemness phenotype of ESCC without Bmi1⁺ cells was inhibited. (a) Samples of control and Bmi1CreER;Rosa^tdTomato;Rosa^DTA mice were collected on the 21st day after a single intraperitoneal injection of tamoxifen. Bmi1⁺ cells of Bmi1CreER;Rosa^tdTomato;Rosa^DTA mice were effectively removed. Red labels Bmi1⁺ cells and their progenies. (b–d) In ESCC samples, all three types of TIC markers, CD44 (b), tp63 (c), and Krt5 (d), were reduced after Bmi1⁺ cells were removed. Brown represents the signals of interest. Scale bars are 100 μm.