Regulation of CD44 expression by tumor necrosis factor-α and its potential role in breast cancer cell migration

• Published in: Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy 2012-03, Vol.66 (2), p.144-150
• Main Authors: Li, Jun, Zha, Xiao-Ming, Wang, Rong, Li, Xiao-Dong, Xu, Bei, Xu, Yan-Jie, Yin, Yong-Mei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; CD44; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement - physiology; Cell Survival - physiology; Down-Regulation - physiology; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic - physiology; Humans; Hyaluronan Receptors - genetics; Internal Medicine; MAP Kinase Signaling System - physiology; MAPK; Medical Education; Migration; TNF-α; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - physiology; Up-Regulation - physiology
• ISSN: 0753-3322; 1950-6007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2011.11.021

Abstract CD44 molecule plays critical role in distant malignant metastasis. It is expressed in standard form (CD44s) or variant form (CD44v). Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is highly expressed in the cancer microenvironment. TNF-α was reported to modulate CD44 expression in several kinds of cancer. However, little is known about pathological role of TNF-α in breast cancer (BC) cells. In the current investigation, we investigated the effect of TNF-α on BC cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) viability, CD44 expression, and in vitro migration. We found that TNF-α down-regulated CD44s expression, up-regulated CD44v3 and CD44v6 expression through JNK pathway in MCF-7 cells. In MDA-MB-231 cells, TNF-α up-regulated CD44s, CD44v3 and CD44v6 expression via p38 pathway. These data indicate important role of CD44 molecule in BC pathology.