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Cancer Cell International
Published in: Cancer Cell International 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Metastasis | Primary research

CD44 cross-linking increases malignancy of breast cancer via upregulation of p-Moesin

Authors: Song Hu, Xiaoxing Shi, Yiwen Liu, Yiqing He, Yan Du, Guoliang Zhang, Cuixia Yang, Feng Gao

Published in: Cancer Cell International | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

CD44 is highly expressed in most cancer cells and its cross-linking pattern is closely related to tumor migration and invasion. However, the underlying molecular mechanism regarding CD44 cross-linking during cancer cell metastasis is poorly understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore whether disruption of CD44 cross-linking in breast cancer cells could prevent the cells migration and invasion and determine the effects of CD44 cross-linking on the malignancy of the cancer cells.

Methods

The expression of CD44, CD44 cross-linking and Moesin phosphorylation in breast cancer cells was assessed by Western Blot assays. Effects of CD44 cross-linking on tumor metastasis were evaluated by Transwell assay. The effects of CD44 cross-linking disruption on cell viability were assessed using CCK-8 assays. The expression of p-Moesin between normal and breast cancer tissues was examined by immunohistochemical staining.

Results

High expression of CD44 cross-linking was found in invasive breast cancer cells (BT-549 and MDA-MB-231), which is associated with the malignancy of breast cancer. The expressions of ERM complex in a panel of breast cancer cell lines indicate that Moesin and its phosphorylation may play a significant role in cell metastasis. Moesin phosphorylation was inhibited by CD44 de-crosslinking in breast cancer cells and Moesin shRNA knockdown attenuated the promotion of CD44 cross-linking on cell migration and invasion. Finally, immunohistochemistry results demonstrated that p-Moesin was overexpressed in primary and metastatic cancers.

Conclusions

Our study suggested that CD44 cross-linking could elevate p-Moesin expression and further affect migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. These results also indicate that p-Moesin may be useful in future targeted cancer therapy.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
CD44 cross-linking increases malignancy of breast cancer via upregulation of p-Moesin
Authors
Song Hu
Xiaoxing Shi
Yiwen Liu
Yiqing He
Yan Du
Guoliang Zhang
Cuixia Yang
Feng Gao
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Cancer Cell International / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1475-2867
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12935-020-01663-4

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