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Expression of CD44 splice variants in bladder cancer
M Kan1, A Furukawa, M Aki
1Department of Urology, University of Tokushima, Japan.
Summary
Altered CD44 variants were found in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines. These changes in CD44 expression may be significant for understanding bladder cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- CD44 plays a role in cell interactions and metastasis.
- Altered CD44 splice variants aid in diagnosing colon and breast cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate altered CD44 expression in bladder cancer.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 33 surgical specimens and 7 bladder cancer cell lines.
- Utilized RT-PCR-Southern blotting, Northern blotting, and flow cytometry.
Main Results:
- Detected hematopoietic and numerous other CD44 variants in all samples.
- Found larger CD44 variants (>1500 bp) in 81.8% of bladder cancer specimens versus 36.4% of normal mucosa (P < 0.05).
- Observed lower CD44 mRNA and molecule quantities in some cell lines with extensive variant patterns.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated quantitative and qualitative changes in CD44 variants in bladder cancer.