CD44 is a multi-functional receptor with multiple of isoforms engaged in modulation of cell trafficking and transmission of apoptotic signals. We have previously shown that injection of anti-CD44 antibody into NOD mice induced resistance to type 1 diabetes (T1D). In this communication we describe our efforts to understand the mechanism underlying this effect. We found that CD44-deficient NOD mi...

PURPOSE The third variable (V3) loop of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein has been intensively studied for AIDS vaccine development. Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is widely used to immunize against tuberculosis and has many advantages as a vaccine vehicle, such as low toxicity, adjuvant potential, low cost, and long-lasting immune-inducing capacity. This work...

objective: recent evidences suggest that tumors arise from a small subpopulation of cells, the cancer stem cells (cscs) or tumor initiating cells. cscs are able to resist the conventional methods of cancer therapy due to existence of abc transporters on their surface. this leads to csc resistance and maintenance resulting in post-treatment relapse and metastasis. therefore, precise identificati...

The human selenoprotein thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1), encoded by the TXNRD1 gene, is a key player in redox regulation. Alternative splicing generates several TrxR1 variants, one of which is v3 that carries an atypical N-terminal glutaredoxin domain. When overexpressed, v3 associates with membranes and triggers formation of filopodia. Here we found that membrane targeting of v3 is mediated by...

Limited improvement in long term survival of lung cancer patients has been achieved by conventional chemotherapy or targeted therapy. To explore the potentials of tumor initiating cells (TIC)-directed therapy, it is essential to identify the cell targets and understand their maintenance mechanisms. We have analyzed the performance of ALDH/CD44 co-expression as TIC markers and treatment targets ...

The A6 peptide (acetyl-KPSSPPEE-amino) has antitumor activity in the absence of significant adverse events in murine tumor models and clinical trials. A6 shares sequence homology with CD44, an adhesion receptor involved in metastasis that is also a marker of cancer stem cells and drug-resistant phenotypes. We investigated the mechanism of action of A6 by examining its effects on CD44 activity, ...

Identification and isolation of breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) based on CD44/CD24 expression and/or enzymatic activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1). However, the differences among the CD44+/CD24‑/low cells, ALDH1+ cells and the overlap between the sub‑populations have not been frequently investigated. Thus, it is imperative to improve the understanding of breast CSC with different stem ...

BACKGROUND Recent studies have focused on the diagnostic and prognostic significance of CD24 and CD44 expression in human cancers. This study aimed to explore changes in CD44 and CD24 expression levels in patients with gastric cancer and to assess their prognostic values. METHODS CD44 and CD24 expression levels were investigated immunohistochemically in tumor samples from 290 patients with no...

Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), a marker for cancer stem cells, has been reported to be associated with poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its involvement in tumor growth has not fully been elucidated. The present study explored the associations between CD44 expression and clinicopathological features using immunohistochemistry in 94 NSCLC cases, as well as prolifer...

CD44 is a cell surface adhesion molecule that plays a role in leukocyte extravasation, leukopoiesis, T lymphocyte activation, and tumor metastasis. The principal known ligand for CD44 is the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronate, (HA), a major constituent of extracellular matrices. CD44 expression is required but is not sufficient to confer cellular adhesion to HA, suggesting that the adhesion function...