Major plasma membrane components of the tumor cell, ion channels, and integrins play crucial roles in metastasis. Glioma cells express an amiloride-sensitive nonselective cation channel composed of acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC)-1 and epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) α- and γ-subunits. Inhibition of this channel is associated with reduced cell migration and proliferation. Using the ASIC-1 subun...

The role of extracellular matrix in the regulation of epithelial cell surface polarity development was studied using MDCK cells. Previous work has demonstrated that MDCK cells cultured in suspension form epithelial cysts having polarized cell surface distributions of several membrane proteins. When MDCK suspension cysts are incubated within collagen gel, a dynamic epithelial membrane remodeling...

Pancreatic cancer is characterized by a dense desmoplastic reaction in which extracellular matrix proteins accumulate and surround tumor cells. Integrins and their related signaling molecules are associated with progression of pancreatic cancer. In the present study, the association between the metastasis of pancreatic cancer and the expression of hnRNP E1 and integrin β1 was evaluated. In vitr...

Tight regulation of integrin activity is paramount for dynamic cellular functions such as cell matrix adhesion and mechanotransduction. Integrin activation is achieved through intracellular interactions at the integrin cytoplasmic tails and through integrin-ligand binding. In this study, we identify the metabolic sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as a β1-integrin inhibitor in fibroblas...

Seaweeds are commonly used as functional foods and drugs. A glycoprotein (GP) from the green alga Capsosiphon fulvescens (Cf) has been reported to have antitumor activity toward various cancer cells. We previously observed that Cf-GP induced different pathways of apoptosis in AGS human gastric cancer cells. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 plays an important role in cancer cell migration. In...

Extracellular matrix (ECM) integrity in the central nervous system (CNS) is essential for neuronal homeostasis. Signals from the ECM are transmitted to neurons through integrins, a family of cell surface receptors that mediate cell attachment to ECM. We have previously established a causal link between the activation of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), degradation of laminin in the ECM o...

OBJECTIVES Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from Wharton's jelly (WJ-MSCs) are now much more appealing for cell-based infertility therapy. Hence, WJ-MSCs differentiation toward germ layer cells for cell therapy purposes is currently under intensive study. MATERIALS AND METHODS MSCs were isolated from human Wharton's jelly and treated with BMP4, retinoic acid (RA) or co-cultured on human ...