CD44 modulates metabolic pathways and altered ROS-mediated Akt signal promoting cholangiocarcinoma progression

PLoS One. 2021 Mar 29;16(3):e0245871. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245871. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

CD44 is a transmembrane glycoprotein, the phosphorylation of which can directly trigger intracellular signaling, particularly Akt protein, for supporting cell growth, motility and invasion. This study examined the role of CD44 on the progression of Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) using metabolic profiling to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in the Akt signaling pathway. Our results show that the silencing of CD44 decreases Akt and mTOR phosphorylation resulting in p21 and Bax accumulation and Bcl-2 suppression that reduces cell proliferation. Moreover, an inhibition of cell migration and invasion regulated by CD44. Similarly, the silencing of CD44 showed an alteration in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), e.g. an upregulation of E-cadherin and a downregulation of vimentin, and the reduction of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 signal. Interestingly, a depletion of CD44 leads to metabolic pathway changes resulting in redox status modification and Trolox (anti-oxidant) led to the recovery of the cancer cell functions. Based on our findings, the regulation of CCA progression and metastasis via the redox status-related Akt signaling pathway depends on the alteration of metabolic profiling synchronized by CD44.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / metabolism*
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / pathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / metabolism*
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the Thailand Research Fund (Grant No. RSA5980013) and Khon Kaen University through the Cholangiocarcinoma Screening Care Program (Grant No. CASCAP-09) as well as a grant from the Terumo Foundation for Life Sciences and Arts, Japan to WL. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript”.