Tumor necrosis factor-alpha regulates transforming growth factor-beta-dependent epithelial-mesenchymal transition by promoting hyaluronan-CD44-moesin interaction.

ABSTRACT: Aberrant epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in development of fibrotic disorders and cancer invasion. Alterations of cell-extracellular matrix interaction also contribute to those pathological conditions. However, the functional interplay between EMT and cell-extracellular matrix interactions remains poorly understood. We now show that the inflammatory mediator tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induces the formation of fibrotic foci by cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells through activation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling in a manner dependent on hyaluronan-CD44-moesin interaction. TNF-alpha promoted CD44 expression and moesin phosphorylation by protein kinase C, leading to the pericellular interaction of hyaluronan and CD44. Formation of

SUBMITTER: Takahashi E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2823547 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature