Vascular CD44 Expression and Breast Cancer Angiogenesis and Metastasis
Abstract
The adhesion properties of metastatic tumor cells and normal lymphocytes mediate their trafficking throughout the human body. The CD44 adhesion molecule is known to mediate the primary adhesion of lymphocytes to endothelial cells which is the initial step in the process of lymphocyte homing. Recently, isoforms of CD44 have been shown to be expressed on metastasizing tumor cells, which may allow metastatic tumor cells to mimic normal lymphocyte homing. Understanding the mechanisms by which CD44 mediates lymphocyte and tumor trafficking is critical for the development of immunotherapy designed to enhance effector lymphocyte trafficking to sites of tumor. The CD44 ligand hyaluronan has also been shown to promote angiogenesis, and tumor angiogenesis is predictive of tumor metastasis. We have investigated the mechanisms regulating CD44 isoform expression on endothelial cells and the role of CD44 in ligand binding and cellular trafficking of breast carcinoma cells and lymphocytes. The role of hyaluronan in angiogenesis was also investigated. Our data suggest that CD44 isoform expression is complex and varies depending on the activation and differentiation status of the cell by stimulation with specific reagents. We have also confirmed a role for hyaluronan in stimulating angiogenesis using an in vivo fibrin gel chamber assay in rats.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA365463
Entities
People
- Kristina G. Flores
Organizations
- Duke University Hospital