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CD44 - a new cardiovascular drug target or merely an innocent bystander?

Alexandra Krettek1, Sara Sjöberg

  • 1Nordic School of Public Health, Box 12133, 402 42 Gothenburg, Sweden. alexandra.krettek@nhv.se

Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders Drug Targets
|January 5, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) is an adhesion molecule implicated in cancer and cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis. Its role in cardiovascular drug therapy warrants further investigation to determine if it

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Molecular Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) is a cell surface adhesion molecule and hyaluronate receptor.
  • It interacts with extracellular matrix components and is expressed on most vertebrate cells.
  • CD44 plays roles in cell adhesion, migration, leukocyte homing, and apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of CD44 in cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysms.
  • To evaluate CD44 as a potential cardiovascular drug target.
  • To synthesize findings from human and animal studies on CD44's involvement in cardiovascular pathology.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing human and animal studies.
  • Analysis of CD44's function in cancer and its implications for cardiovascular disease.
  • Examination of CD44's role in inflammatory processes relevant to cardiovascular conditions.

Main Results:

  • CD44 is implicated in inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysms.
  • Animal studies show variable roles for CD44 in atherogenesis depending on the experimental model.
  • CD44's functions extend beyond adhesion to include leukocyte recruitment and matrix remodeling.

Conclusions:

  • CD44 is a molecule of interest for cardiovascular drug therapy.
  • Further research is needed to clarify CD44's precise role in cardiovascular diseases.
  • Determining whether CD44 is a therapeutic target or an innocent bystander in cardiovascular pathology is crucial.

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