Autophagy supports generation of cells with high CD44 expression via modulation of oxidative stress and Parkin-mediated mitochondrial clearance.

ABSTRACT: High CD44 expression is associated with enhanced malignant potential in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), among the deadliest of all human carcinomas. Although alterations in autophagy and CD44 expression are associated with poor patient outcomes in various cancer types, the relationship between autophagy and cells with high CD44 expression remains incompletely understood. In transformed oesophageal keratinocytes, CD44^Low-CD24^High (CD44L) cells give rise to CD44^High-CD24^-/Low (CD44H) cells via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in response to transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. We couple patient samples and xenotransplantation studies with this tractable in vitro system of CD44L to CD44H cell conversion to investigate the functional

SUBMITTER: Whelan KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5570661 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature