Open AccessCD44v3,8‐10 is essential for Slug‐dependent vimentin gene expression to acquire TGF‐β1‐induced tumor cell motility
Author(s) -
Qiu Shichao,
Iimori Makoto,
Edahiro Keitaro,
Fujimoto Yoshiaki,
Matsuoka Kazuaki,
Oki Eiji,
Maehara Yoshihiko,
Mori Masaki,
Kitao Hiroyuki
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/cas.15353
Subject(s) - vimentin , cd44 , slug , epithelial–mesenchymal transition , biology , metastasis , cancer research , transcription factor , cadherin , transforming growth factor , tumor progression , cancer , cancer cell , transforming growth factor beta , cell , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , gene , immunohistochemistry , genetics
CD44 is a widely expressed polymorphic adhesion molecule that has pleiotropic functions in development and tumor progression. Its mRNA undergoes alternative splicing to generate multiple variant (CD44v) isoforms, although the function of each CD44v isoform is not fully elucidated. Here, we show that CD44v plays an important role in the induction of vimentin expression upon transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1)‐induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Among multiple CD44v isoforms expressed in NUGC3 gastric cancer cells, CD44v8‐10 and CD44v3,8‐10 are involved in the acquisition of migratory and invasive properties associated with TGF‐β1‐induced EMT, and only CD44v3,8‐10 induces the transcription of vimentin mediated by the EMT transcription factor Slug. In primary tumor specimens obtained from patients with gastric cancer, CD44‐containing variant exon 9 (CD44v9) expression and EMT features [E‐cadherin(−)vimentin(+)] were significantly correlated, and EMT features in the cells expressing CD44v9 were associated with tumor invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, and pStage, which indicate invasive and metastatic properties, and poor prognosis. These results indicate that certain CD44v isoforms promote tumor cell motility and metastasis in gastric cancer in association with EMT features, and CD44v3,8‐10 may contribute to these clinical characteristics.