CD44 and colorectal carcinoma: In addition, we examined the protein expressions of stem cell markers LGR5, CD44, SOX2, NANOG and OCT4 by western blot, and results indicated the LGR5, CD44, SOX2 and NANOG protein levels were decreased after si-COLEC12-2 and -3 transfections (Fig. 10d), indicating that COLEC12 affected the CSC traits of CRC cells.