Transforming Growth Factor-β Modulates Cancer Stem Cell Traits on CD44 Subpopulations in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a formidable malignancy, with growing interest in identifying cancer stem cells (CSCs) as potential therapeutic targets. CD44 isoforms have emerged as promising CSC markers in HCC, often associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). However, the intricate relationship between CSC traits, CD44 isoforms, and TGF-β effects on CD44 subpopulations in HCC remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify how TGF-β influences proteomic changes and CSC traits in subpopulations expressing standard CD44 isoform (CD44std) and CD44 variant 9 (CD44v9). Treating SNU-423 cells with TGF-β lead to notable morphological changes, resembling a spindle-like phenotype, along with reductions in CD44v9+ subpopulations and d

SUBMITTER: Aguilar-Chaparro MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11833284 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature