Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Isolation and Functional Assessment of Human Breast Cancer Stem Cells from Cell and Tissue Samples
Published on: October 2, 2020
Hyaluronan-CD44 axis orchestrates cancer stem cell functions
Spyros S Skandalis1, Theodoros T Karalis1, Athanasios Chatzopoulos1
1Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiology Research Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece.
Abstract:
The prominent role of CD44 in tumor cell signaling together with its establishment as a cancer stem cell (CSC) marker for various tumor entities imply a key role for CD44 in CSC functional properties. Hyaluronan, the main ligand of CD44, is a major constituent of CSC niche and, therefore, the hyaluronan-CD44 signaling axis is of functional importance in this special microenvironment. This review aims to provide recent advances in the importance of hyaluronan-CD44 interactions in the acquisition and maintenance of a CSC phenotype. Hyaluronan-CD44 axis has a substantial impact on stemness properties of CSCs and drug resistance through induction of EMT program, oxidative stress resistance, secretion of extracellular vesicles/exosomes and epigenetic control. Potential therapeutic approaches targeting CSCs based on the hyaluronan-CD44 axis are also presented.
Related Concept Videos
Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells
Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are tissue-specific; hence, they divide to develop the tissue from which they originate. One type of adult stem cell is the epithelial stem cell, which gives rise to the keratinocytes in the multiple layers of epithelial cells in the epidermis of the skin. Adult bone marrow has three distinct types of stem cells:...
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
Adult Stem Cells
Perpendicular-Axis Theorem
Consider a circular disc of mass M and radius R lying along an x-y plane. The origin lies at the center of the disc, and the z-axis is perpendicular to the disc's plane. All three axes coincide at the disc's center. The moment of inertia of this...
Parallel-axis Theorem

