CD44 Promotes Epithelial Mammary Gland Development and Exhibits Altered Localization during Cancer Progression.

ABSTRACT: The basal cell layer has emerged as a critical player in cancer progression, and understanding the molecular contribution of specific cell types is important in treatment and prevention. The adhesion receptor CD44, which mediates epithelial-stromal and cell-cell interactions, has been shown to both promote and suppress tumor progression. To better understand the normal function of CD44, we have investigated its role in mouse mammary gland development and its expression in human breast and prostate cancer. We have found that CD44 is expressed in the myoepithelium of the developing mammary gland and modulates ductal development of FVB/N mice. The loss of CD44 results in defective luminal-myoepithelial cell-cell adhesion and promotes the mixing of luminal and myoepithelial layers, disrupting

SUBMITTER: Louderbough JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3278897 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature