A complex of EpCAM, claudin-7, CD44 variant isoforms, and tetraspanins promotes colorectal cancer progression

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • Sebastian Kuhn - , Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) (Autor:in)
  • Moritz Koch - , Universität Heidelberg (Autor:in)
  • Tobias Nübel - , Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) (Autor:in)
  • Markus Ladwein - , Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) (Autor:in)
  • Dalibor Antolovic - , Universität Heidelberg (Autor:in)
  • Pamela Klingbeil - , Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) (Autor:in)
  • Dagmar Hildebrand - , Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) (Autor:in)
  • Gerhard Moldenhauer - , Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) (Autor:in)
  • Lutz Langbein - , Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) (Autor:in)
  • Werner W. Franke - , Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) (Autor:in)
  • Jürgen Weitz - , Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg (Autor:in)
  • Margot Zöller - , Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (Autor:in)

Abstract

High expression of EpCAM and the tetraspanin CO-029 has been associated with colorectal cancer progression. However, opposing results have been reported on CD44 variant isoform v6 (CD44v6) expression. We recently noted in rat gastrointestinal tumors that EpCAM, claudin-7, CO-029, and CD44v6 were frequently coexpressed and could form a complex. This finding suggested the possibly that the complex, rather than the individual molecules, could support tumor progression. The expression of EpCAM, claudin-7, CO-029, and CD44v6 expression was evaluated in colorectal cancer (n = 104), liver metastasis (n = 66), and tumor-free colon and liver tissue. Coexpression and complex formation of the molecules was correlated with clinical variables and apoptosis resistance. EpCAM, claudin-7, CO-029, and CD44v6 expression was up-regulated in colon cancer and liver metastasis. Expression of the four molecules did not correlate with tumor staging and grading. However, coexpression inversely correlated with disease-free survival. Coexpression was accompanied by complex formation and recruitment into tetraspanin-enriched membrane microdomains (TEM). Claudin-7 contributes to complex formation inasmuch as in the absence of claudin-7, EpCAM hardly associates with CO-029 and CD44v6 and is not recruited into TEMs. Notably, colorectal cancer lines that expressed the EpCAM/claudin-7/CO-029/CD44v6 complex displayed a higher degree of apoptosis resistance than lines devoid of any one of the four molecules. Expression of EpCAM, claudin-7, CO-029, and CD44v6 by themselves cannot be considered as prognostic markers in colorectal cancer. However, claudin-7-associated EpCAM is recruited into TEM and forms a complex with CO-029 and CD44v6 that facilitates metastasis formation.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)553-567
Seitenumfang15
FachzeitschriftMolecular cancer research
Jahrgang5
Ausgabenummer6
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 1 Juni 2007
Peer-Review-StatusJa
Extern publiziertJa

Externe IDs

PubMed 17579117

Schlagworte

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung