| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
Regular Articles |
From the Department of Pathology,*
Academic Medical
Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Department of Human
Genetics,
Leiden University Medical Center,
Leiden, and the Department of Immunology,
University Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Overexpression of cell surface glycoproteins of the CD44 family is an early event in the colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence. This suggests a link with disruption of APC tumor suppressor protein-mediated regulation of ß-catenin/Tcf-4 signaling, which is crucial in initiating tumorigenesis. To explore this hypothesis, we analyzed CD44 expression in the intestinal mucosa of mice and humans with genetic defects in either APC or Tcf-4, leading to constitutive activation or blockade of the ß-catenin/Tcf-4 pathway, respectively. We show that CD44 expression in the non-neoplastic intestinal mucosa of Apc mutant mice is confined to the crypt epithelium but that CD44 is strongly overexpressed in adenomas as well as in invasive carcinomas. This overexpression includes the standard part of the CD44 (CD44s) as well as variant exons (CD44v). Interestingly, deregulated CD44 expression is already present in aberrant crypt foci with dysplasia (ACFs), the earliest detectable lesions of colorectal neoplasia. Like ACFs of Apc-mutant mice, ACFs of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients also overexpress CD44. In sharp contrast, Tcf-4 mutant mice show a complete absence of CD44 in the epithelium of the small intestine. This loss of CD44 concurs with loss of stem cell characteristics, shared with adenoma cells. Our results indicate that CD44 expression is part of a genetic program controlled by the ß-catenin/Tcf-4 signaling pathway and suggest a role for CD44 in the generation and turnover of epithelial cells.
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
R. W.J. Groen, M. E.C.M. Oud, E. J.M. Schilder-Tol, M. B. Overdijk, D. ten Berge, R. Nusse, M. Spaargaren, and S. T. Pals Illegitimate WNT Pathway Activation by {beta}-Catenin Mutation or Autocrine Stimulation in T-Cell Malignancies Cancer Res., September 1, 2008; 68(17): 6969 - 6977. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. A. Wilkins and O. J. Sansom C-Myc Is a Critical Mediator of the Phenotypes of Apc Loss in the Intestine Cancer Res., July 1, 2008; 68(13): 4963 - 4966. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. M. Boman and E. Huang Human Colon Cancer Stem Cells: A New Paradigm in Gastrointestinal Oncology J. Clin. Oncol., June 10, 2008; 26(17): 2828 - 2838. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Zeilstra, S. P.J. Joosten, M. Dokter, E. Verwiel, M. Spaargaren, and S. T. Pals Deletion of the WNT Target and Cancer Stem Cell Marker CD44 in Apc(Min/+) Mice Attenuates Intestinal Tumorigenesis Cancer Res., May 15, 2008; 68(10): 3655 - 3661. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Gaspar, J. Cardoso, P. Franken, L. Molenaar, H. Morreau, G. Moslein, J. Sampson, J. M. Boer, R. X. de Menezes, and R. Fodde Cross-Species Comparison of Human and Mouse Intestinal Polyps Reveals Conserved Mechanisms in Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC)-Driven Tumorigenesis Am. J. Pathol., May 1, 2008; 172(5): 1363 - 1380. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. B. Pearson, A. McCarthy, C. M.P. Collins, A. Ashworth, and A. R. Clarke Lkb1 Deficiency Causes Prostate Neoplasia in the Mouse Cancer Res., April 1, 2008; 68(7): 2223 - 2232. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. S. Alves, M. M. Burdick, S. N. Thomas, P. Pawar, and K. Konstantopoulos The dual role of CD44 as a functional P-selectin ligand and fibrin receptor in colon carcinoma cell adhesion Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, April 1, 2008; 294(4): C907 - C916. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H.-T. Xu, Q. Wei, Y. Liu, L.-H. Yang, S.-D. Dai, Y. Han, J.-H. Yu, N. Liu, and E.-H. Wang Overexpression of Axin Downregulates TCF-4 and Inhibits the Development of Lung Cancer Ann. Surg. Oncol., November 1, 2007; 14(11): 3251 - 3259. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. M. Saaf, J. M. Halbleib, X. Chen, S. T. Yuen, S. Y. Leung, W. J. Nelson, and P. O. Brown Parallels between Global Transcriptional Programs of Polarizing Caco-2 Intestinal Epithelial Cells In Vitro and Gene Expression Programs in Normal Colon and Colon Cancer Mol. Biol. Cell, November 1, 2007; 18(11): 4245 - 4260. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N. Gavert, M. Sheffer, S. Raveh, S. Spaderna, M. Shtutman, T. Brabletz, F. Barany, P. Paty, D. Notterman, E. Domany, et al. Expression of L1-CAM and ADAM10 in Human Colon Cancer Cells Induces Metastasis Cancer Res., August 15, 2007; 67(16): 7703 - 7712. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. Dalerba, S. J. Dylla, I.-K. Park, R. Liu, X. Wang, R. W. Cho, T. Hoey, A. Gurney, E. H. Huang, D. M. Simeone, et al. Phenotypic characterization of human colorectal cancer stem cells PNAS, June 12, 2007; 104(24): 10158 - 10163. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Q. Yu and J. M. Sen beta-Catenin Regulates Positive Selection of Thymocytes but Not Lineage Commitment J. Immunol., April 15, 2007; 178(8): 5028 - 5034. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L.L. Dunn, E.O. Sekyere, Y. Suryo Rahmanto, and D.R. Richardson The function of melanotransferrin: a role in melanoma cell proliferation and tumorigenesis Carcinogenesis, November 1, 2006; 27(11): 2157 - 2169. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. R.H. de Bruijn, S. V. Allander, A. H.A. van Dijk, M. P. Willemse, J. Thijssen, J. J.M. van Groningen, P. S. Meltzer, and A. Geurts van Kessel The Synovial Sarcoma-Associated SS18-SSX2 Fusion Protein Induces Epigenetic Gene (De)Regulation Cancer Res., October 1, 2006; 66(19): 9474 - 9482. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. Kim, H. Koo, S. Yang, S. Bang, Y. Jung, Y. Kim, J. Kim, J. Park, R. T. Moon, K. Song, et al. TC1(C8orf4) Correlates with Wnt/{beta}-Catenin Target Genes and Aggressive Biological Behavior in Gastric Cancer. Clin. Cancer Res., June 1, 2006; 12(11): 3541 - 3548. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. M. Lowy, W. M. Clements, J. Bishop, L. Kong, T. Bonney, K. Sisco, B. Aronow, C. Fenoglio-Preiser, and J. Groden {beta}-Catenin/Wnt Signaling Regulates Expression of the Membrane Type 3 Matrix Metalloproteinase in Gastric Cancer. Cancer Res., May 1, 2006; 66(9): 4734 - 4741. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K A Voutilainen, M A Anttila, S M Sillanpaa, K M Ropponen, S V Saarikoski, M T Juhola, and V-M Kosma Prognostic significance of E-cadherin-catenin complex in epithelial ovarian cancer J. Clin. Pathol., May 1, 2006; 59(5): 460 - 467. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Chen, C. S. Park, and S.-J. Tang Activity-dependent Synaptic Wnt Release Regulates Hippocampal Long Term Potentiation J. Biol. Chem., April 28, 2006; 281(17): 11910 - 11916. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Qi, J. Wang, O. Romanyuk, and C.-H. Siu Involvement of Src Family Kinases in N-Cadherin Phosphorylation and beta-Catenin Dissociation during Transendothelial Migration of Melanoma Cells Mol. Biol. Cell, March 1, 2006; 17(3): 1261 - 1272. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. Jung, S. Bang, K. Choi, E. Kim, Y. Kim, J. Kim, J. Park, H. Koo, R. T. Moon, K. Song, et al. TC1 (C8orf4) Enhances the Wnt/{beta}-Catenin Pathway by Relieving Antagonistic Activity of Chibby Cancer Res., January 15, 2006; 66(2): 723 - 728. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Singh, J. N. Artaza, W. E. Taylor, M. Braga, X. Yuan, N. F. Gonzalez-Cadavid, and S. Bhasin Testosterone Inhibits Adipogenic Differentiation in 3T3-L1 Cells: Nuclear Translocation of Androgen Receptor Complex with {beta}-Catenin and T-Cell Factor 4 May Bypass Canonical Wnt Signaling to Down-Regulate Adipogenic Transcription Factors Endocrinology, January 1, 2006; 147(1): 141 - 154. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Qi, N. Chen, J. Wang, and C.-H. Siu Transendothelial Migration of Melanoma Cells Involves N-Cadherin-mediated Adhesion and Activation of the {beta}-Catenin Signaling Pathway Mol. Biol. Cell, September 1, 2005; 16(9): 4386 - 4397. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N. Gavert, M. Conacci-Sorrell, D. Gast, A. Schneider, P. Altevogt, T. Brabletz, and A. Ben-Ze'ev L1, a novel target of {beta}-catenin signaling, transforms cells and is expressed at the invasive front of colon cancers J. Cell Biol., February 14, 2005; 168(4): 633 - 642. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. B. Madison, K. Braunstein, E. Kuizon, K. Portman, X. T. Qiao, and D. L. Gumucio Epithelial hedgehog signals pattern the intestinal crypt-villus axis Development, January 15, 2005; 132(2): 279 - 289. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M Brittan and N A Wright STEM CELL IN GASTROINTESTINAL STRUCTURE AND NEOPLASTIC DEVELOPMENT Gut, June 1, 2004; 53(6): 899 - 910. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. W. B. Derksen, E. Tjin, H. P. Meijer, M. D. Klok, H. D. Mac Gillavry, M. H. J. van Oers, H. M. Lokhorst, A. C. Bloem, H. Clevers, R. Nusse, et al. Illegitimate WNT signaling promotes proliferation of multiple myeloma cells PNAS, April 20, 2004; 101(16): 6122 - 6127. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A.-P. G. Haramis, H. Begthel, M. van den Born, J. van Es, S. Jonkheer, G. J. A. Offerhaus, and H. Clevers De Novo Crypt Formation and Juvenile Polyposis on BMP Inhibition in Mouse Intestine Science, March 12, 2004; 303(5664): 1684 - 1686. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. Kuhnert, C. R. Davis, H.-T. Wang, P. Chu, M. Lee, J. Yuan, R. Nusse, and C. J. Kuo Essential requirement for Wnt signaling in proliferation of adult small intestine and colon revealed by adenoviral expression of Dickkopf-1 PNAS, January 6, 2004; 101(1): 266 - 271. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Conacci-Sorrell, I. Simcha, T. Ben-Yedidia, J. Blechman, P. Savagner, and A. Ben-Ze'ev Autoregulation of E-cadherin expression by cadherin-cadherin interactions: the roles of {beta}-catenin signaling, Slug, and MAPK J. Cell Biol., November 24, 2003; 163(4): 847 - 857. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. Nawrocki-Raby, C. Gilles, M. Polette, C. Martinella-Catusse, N. Bonnet, E. Puchelle, J.-M. Foidart, F. van Roy, and P. Birembaut E-Cadherin Mediates MMP Down-Regulation in Highly Invasive Bronchial Tumor Cells Am. J. Pathol., August 1, 2003; 163(2): 653 - 661. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. R. Schwartz, R. Wu, S. L. R. Kardia, A. M. Levin, C.-C. Huang, K. A. Shedden, R. Kuick, D. E. Misek, S. M. Hanash, J. M. G. Taylor, et al. Novel Candidate Targets of {beta}-Catenin/T-cell Factor Signaling Identified by Gene Expression Profiling of Ovarian Endometrioid Adenocarcinomas Cancer Res., June 1, 2003; 63(11): 2913 - 2922. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Gilles, M. Polette, M. Mestdagt, B. Nawrocki-Raby, P. Ruggeri, P. Birembaut, and J.-M. Foidart Transactivation of Vimentin by {beta}-Catenin in Human Breast Cancer Cells Cancer Res., May 15, 2003; 63(10): 2658 - 2664. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. B. Tepera, P. D. McCrea, and J. M. Rosen A {beta}-catenin survival signal is required for normal lobular development in the mammary gland J. Cell Sci., March 15, 2003; 116(6): 1137 - 1149. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. Xu and Q. Yu E-cadherin Negatively Regulates CD44-Hyaluronan Interaction and CD44-mediated Tumor Invasion and Branching Morphogenesis J. Biol. Chem., February 28, 2003; 278(10): 8661 - 8668. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. M. Campbell and M. Szyf Human DNA methyltransferase gene DNMT1 is regulated by the APC pathway Carcinogenesis, January 1, 2003; 24(1): 17 - 24. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J R Jass, M Barker, L Fraser, M D Walsh, V L J Whitehall, B Gabrielli, J Young, and B A Leggett APC mutation and tumour budding in colorectal cancer J. Clin. Pathol., January 1, 2003; 56(1): 69 - 73. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. M. J. Boon, R. van der Neut, M. van de Wetering, H. Clevers, and S. T. Pals Wnt Signaling Regulates Expression of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Met in Colorectal Cancer Cancer Res., September 15, 2002; 62(18): 5126 - 5128. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. F. Weber, R. T. Bronson, J. Ilagan, H. Cantor, R. Schmits, and T. W. Mak Absence of the CD44 Gene Prevents Sarcoma Metastasis Cancer Res., April 1, 2002; 62(8): 2281 - 2286. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N. A. C. S. Wong and M. Pignatelli {beta}-Catenin--A Linchpin in Colorectal Carcinogenesis? Am. J. Pathol., February 1, 2002; 160(2): 389 - 401. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Zhang, T. Otevrel, Z. Gao, Z. Gao, S. M. Ehrlich, J. Z. Fields, and B. M. Boman Evidence That APC Regulates Survivin Expression: A Possible Mechanism Contributing to the Stem Cell Origin of Colon Cancer Cancer Res., December 1, 2001; 61(24): 8664 - 8667. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. Hlubek, A. Jung, N. Kotzor, T. Kirchner, and T. Brabletz Expression of the Invasion Factor Laminin {gamma}2 in Colorectal Carcinomas Is Regulated by {beta}-Catenin Cancer Res., November 1, 2001; 61(22): 8089 - 8093. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Brabletz, A. Jung, S. Reu, M. Porzner, F. Hlubek, L. A. Kunz-Schughart, R. Knuechel, and T. Kirchner Variable beta -catenin expression in colorectal cancers indicates tumor progression driven by the tumor environment PNAS, August 28, 2001; 98(18): 10356 - 10361. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
V. J. M. Wielenga, R. van der Voort, T. E. I. Taher, L. Smit, E. A. Beuling, C. van Krimpen, M. Spaargaren, and S. T. Pals Expression of c-Met and Heparan-Sulfate Proteoglycan Forms of CD44 in Colorectal Cancer Am. J. Pathol., November 1, 2000; 157(5): 1563 - 1573. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Brabletz, K. Herrmann, A. Jung, G. Faller, and T. Kirchner Expression of Nuclear {beta}-Catenin and c-myc Is Correlated with Tumor Size but Not with Proliferative Activity of Colorectal Adenomas Am. J. Pathol., March 1, 2000; 156(3): 865 - 870. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. G. Palmer, J. M. Gonzalez-Sancho, J. Espada, M. T. Berciano, I. Puig, J. Baulida, M. Quintanilla, A. Cano, A. G. de Herreros, M. Lafarga, et al. Vitamin D3 promotes the differentiation of colon carcinoma cells by the induction of E-cadherin and the inhibition of {beta}-catenin signaling J. Cell Biol., July 23, 2001; 154(2): 369 - 388. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |