Unveiling the Role of Ecto-5'-Nucleotidase/CD73 in Astrocyte Migration by Using Pharmacological Tools.

ABSTRACT: CD73 is a bifunctional glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored membrane protein which functions as ecto-5'-nucleotidase and a membrane receptor for extracellular matrix protein (ECM). A large body of evidence demonstrates a critical involvement of altered purine metabolism and particularly, increased expression of CD73 in a number of human disorders, including cancer and immunodeficiency. Massive up-regulation of CD73 was also found in reactive astrocytes in several experimental models of human neuropathologies. In all the pathological contexts studied so far, the increased expression of CD73 has been associated with the altered ability of cells to adhere and/or migrate. Thus, we hypothesized that increased expression of CD73 in reactive astrocytes has a role in the process of astrocyt

SUBMITTER: Adzic M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5837971 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature