CD44 gene rs9666607 polymorphism is associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma and interacts with CREB3L1

The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has been rising. CD44 is involved in cell adhesion and migration, but the role of its genetic variation in PTC remains unclear.

This study aimed to investigate the association of CD44 gene polymorphisms with PTC and to examine the interaction between CD44 and CREB3L1. This study enrolled 354 patients with PTC, and the genotype distribution of the CD44 polymorphism (rs9666607) was analyzed. Key PTC genes were screened using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (GSE33630). Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed on these key genes. CD44 expression was validated using TCGA database, ELISA, qRTPCR, Western blot, and IHC in patient tissues, PTC mouse model, and human cell lines. The direct interactive molecules were screened through a bioinformatics method.

The GSE33630 dataset identified a total of 124 upregulated and 85 downregulated differentially expressed genes. Enrichment analysis revealed 12 key PTC genes, including CD44. TCGA database validation revealed that CD44 was significantly overexpressed in PTC patients. The rs9666607‑A allele was associated with an increased risk of PTC and lymph node metastasis under a dominant model. CD44 mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in PTC tissues versus adjacent tissue and further elevated in metastatic cases. Bioinformatic analysis predicted CD44 interaction with the transcription factor CREB3L1, and this was confirmed by molecular docking. CREB3L1 expression was synchronously upregulated with CD44 in PTC.

CD44 polymorphisms, particularly the rs9666607-A allele, are significantly associated with PTC risk and metastasis in the studied population. CD44 is overexpressed in PTC, and its interaction with CREB3L1 suggests a potential novel interaction in PTC pathogenesis.