Pina Ziranu, Andrea Pretta, Valentina Aimola, Flaviana Cau, Stefano Mariani, Alessandra Pia D'Agata, Claudia Codipietro, Daiana Rizzo, Veronica Dell'Utri, Giorgia Sanna, Giusy Moledda, Andrea Cadoni, Eleonora Lai, Marco Puzzoni, Valeria Pusceddu, Massimo Castagnola, Mario Scartozzi, Gavino Faa
Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) is a non-kinase cell surface glycoprotein. It is overexpressed in several cell types, including cancer stem cells (CSCs). Cells overexpressing CD44 exhibit several CSC traits, such as self-renewal, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) capability, and resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. The role of CD44 in maintaining stemness and the CSC function in tumor progression is accomplished by binding to its main ligand, hyaluronan (HA). The HA-CD44 complex activates several signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion...
April 19, 2024: Cancers