CD44V6 regulates gastric carcinoma occurrence and development through up-regulating VEGF expression

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Gastric carcinoma (GC) presents a significant global health challenge due to its high morbidity and poor prognosis.
• The underlying mechanisms of GC remain incompletely understood, hindering effective treatment strategies.
• CD44 variant 6 (CD44V6) is implicated in tumorigenesis, but its specific role in GC requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the role of CD44V6 in the occurrence and development of gastric carcinoma.
• To investigate the correlation between CD44V6 expression and clinicopathological characteristics in GC patients.
• To explore the relationship between CD44V6 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in GC.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of CD44V6 and VEGF expression in GC tissues versus adjacent normal tissues using real-time PCR and Western blot.
• Correlation analysis of CD44V6 expression with clinicopathological features, including TNM staging.
• In vitro studies using the SGC-7901 GC cell line with CD44V6 small interfering RNA (siRNA) to assess effects on proliferation and apoptosis.

Main Results:

• CD44V6 and VEGF protein levels were significantly higher in GC tissues compared to normal controls.
• CD44V6 expression correlated significantly with tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage.
• CD44V6 expression showed a positive correlation with VEGF expression.
• CD44V6 siRNA treatment reduced CD44V6 and VEGF expression, inhibited cell proliferation, and increased caspase 3 activity in GC cells.

Conclusions:

• CD44V6 plays a role in gastric carcinoma development by upregulating VEGF expression.
• Targeting CD44V6 offers a potential therapeutic strategy for GC by inhibiting VEGF, suppressing proliferation, and inducing apoptosis.