Intracellular hyaluronan: Importance for cellular functions.

Hyaluronan-rich matrices are abundant in ECM and are involved in biological processes, such as cell growth and migration. Hyaluronan is synthesized by the hyaluronan synthase family of enzymes, HAS1, HAS2 and HAS3; the HAS1 and HAS3 genes give rise to different transcripts through alternative splicing, and the HAS2 gene to a non-coding RNA antisense transcript in addition to the protein-coding transcript. Biosynthesis of hyaluronan increases during inflammation and cancer and is regulated by cytokines and growth factors. In addition to extracellular hyaluronan-rich matrices, cytoplasmic and nuclear forms of hyaluronan have been detected in normal and pathological processes. Extra- and intra-cellular hyaluronan binds to hyaluronan binding proteins, such as CD44, RHAMM, CDC37 and USP17, affecting cellular behavior. Although neither the exact mechanisms by which hyaluronan is present in the intracellular compartments, nor its function at these sites are currently understood, there are evidence that intracellular hyaluronan has important regulatory roles during cell cycle, cell motility, RNA translation and splicing, and autophagy.

Transforming growth factor ß (TGFß) induces NUAK kinase expression to fine-tune its signaling output.

TGFß signaling via SMAD proteins and protein kinase pathways up- or down-regulates the expression of many genes and thus affects physiological processes, such as differentiation, migration, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis, during developmental or adult tissue homeostasis. We here report that NUAK family kinase 1 (NUAK1) and NUAK2 are two TGFß target genes. NUAK1/2 belong to the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) family, whose members control central and protein metabolism, polarity, and overall cellular homeostasis. We found that TGFß-mediated transcriptional induction of NUAK1 and NUAK2 requires SMAD family members 2, 3, and 4 (SMAD2/3/4) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activities, which provided immediate and early signals for the transient expression of these two kinases. Genomic mapping identified an enhancer element within the first intron of the NUAK2 gene that can recruit SMAD proteins, which, when cloned, could confer induction by TGFß. Furthermore, NUAK2 formed protein complexes with SMAD3 and the TGFß type I receptor. Functionally, NUAK1 suppressed and NUAK2 induced TGFß signaling. This was evident during TGFß-induced epithelial cytostasis, mesenchymal differentiation, and myofibroblast contractility, in which NUAK1 or NUAK2 silencing enhanced or inhibited these responses, respectively. In conclusion, we have identified a bifurcating loop during TGFß signaling, whereby transcriptional induction of NUAK1 serves as a negative checkpoint and NUAK2 induction positively contributes to signaling and terminal differentiation responses to TGFß activity.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and proximity ligation assays reveal functionally relevant homo- and heteromeric complexes among hyaluronan synthases HAS1, HAS2, and HAS3.

In vertebrates, hyaluronan is produced in the plasma membrane from cytosolic UDP-sugar substrates by hyaluronan synthase 1-3 (HAS1-3) isoenzymes that transfer N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and glucuronic acid (GlcUA) in alternative positions in the growing polysaccharide chain during its simultaneous extrusion into the extracellular space. It has been shown that HAS2 immunoprecipitates contain functional HAS2 homomers and also heteromers with HAS3 (Karousou, E., Kamiryo, M., Skandalis, S. S., Ruusala, A., Asteriou, T., Passi, A., Yamashita, H., Hellman, U., Heldin, C. H., and Heldin, P. (2010) The activity of hyaluronan synthase 2 is regulated by dimerization and ubiquitination. J. Biol. Chem. 285, 23647-23654). Here we have systematically screened in live cells, potential interactions among the HAS isoenzymes using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and flow cytometric quantification. We show that all HAS isoenzymes form homomeric and also heteromeric complexes with each other. The same complexes were detected both in Golgi apparatus and plasma membrane by using FRET microscopy and the acceptor photobleaching method. Proximity ligation assays with HAS antibodies confirmed the presence of HAS1-HAS2, HAS2-HAS2, and HAS2-HAS3 complexes between endogenously expressed HASs. C-terminal deletions revealed that the enzymes interact mainly via uncharacterized N-terminal 86-amino acid domain(s), but additional binding site(s) probably exist in their C-terminal parts. Of all the homomeric complexes HAS1 had the lowest and HAS3 the highest synthetic activity. Interestingly, HAS1 transfection reduced the synthesis of hyaluronan obtained by HAS2 and HAS3, suggesting functional cooperation between the isoenzymes. These data indicate a general tendency of HAS isoenzymes to form both homomeric and heteromeric complexes with potentially important functional consequences on hyaluronan synthesis.

Platelet-derived growth factor ß-receptor, transforming growth factor ß type I receptor, and CD44 protein modulate each other's signaling and stability.

Growth factors, such as platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor ß (TGFß), are key regulators of cellular functions, including proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Growth factor signaling is modulated by context-dependent cross-talk between different signaling pathways. We demonstrate in this study that PDGF-BB induces phosphorylation of Smad2, a downstream mediator of the canonical TGFß pathway, in primary dermal fibroblasts. The PDGF-BB-mediated Smad2 phosphorylation was dependent on the kinase activities of both TGFß type I receptor (TßRI) and PDGF ß-receptor (PDGFRß), and it was prevented by inhibitory antibodies against TGFß. Inhibition of the activity of the TßRI kinase greatly reduced the PDGF-BB-dependent migration in dermal fibroblasts. Moreover, we demonstrate that the receptors for PDGF-BB and TGFß interact physically in primary dermal fibroblasts and that stimulation with PDGF-BB induces internalization not only of PDGFRß but also of TßRI. In addition, silencing of PDGFRß by siRNA decreased the stability of TßRI and delayed TGFß-induced signaling. We further show that the hyaluronan receptor CD44 interacts with both PDGFRß and TßRI. Depletion of CD44 by siRNA increased signaling via PDGFRß and TßRI by stabilizing the receptor proteins. Our data suggest that cross-talk between PDGFRß and TßRI occurs in dermal fibroblasts and that CD44 negatively modulates signaling via these receptors.

TGFß and matrix-regulated epithelial to mesenchymal transition.

BACKGROUND: The progression of cancer through stages that guide a benign hyperplastic epithelial tissue towards a fully malignant and metastatic carcinoma, is driven by genetic and microenvironmental factors that remodel the tissue architecture. The concept of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has evolved to emphasize the importance of plastic changes in tissue architecture, and the cross-communication of tumor cells with various cells in the stroma and with specific molecules in the extracellular matrix (ECM). SCOPE OF THE REVIEW: Among the multitude of ECM-embedded cytokines and the regulatory potential of ECM molecules, this article focuses on the cytokine transforming growth factor ß (TGFß) and the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan, and their roles in cancer biology and EMT. For brevity, we concentrate our effort on breast cancer. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: Both normal and abnormal TGFß signaling can be detected in carcinoma and stromal cells, and TGFß-induced EMT requires the expression of hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2). Correspondingly, hyaluronan is a major constituent of tumor ECM and aberrant levels of both hyaluronan and TGFß are thought to promote a wounding reaction to the local tissue homeostasis. The link between EMT and metastasis also involves the mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). ECM components, signaling networks, regulatory non-coding RNAs and epigenetic mechanisms form the network of regulation during EMT-MET. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Understanding the mechanism that controls epithelial plasticity in the mammary gland promises the development of valuable biomarkers for the prognosis of breast cancer progression and even provides new ideas for a more integrative therapeutic approach against disease. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Matrix-mediated cell behaviour and properties.

A biological guide to glycosaminoglycans: current perspectives and pending questions.

Mammalian glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), except hyaluronan (HA), are sulfated polysaccharides that are covalently attached to core proteins to form proteoglycans (PGs). This article summarizes key biological findings for the most widespread GAGs, namely HA, chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS), keratan sulfate (KS), and heparan sulfate (HS). It focuses on the major processes that remain to be deciphered to get a comprehensive view of the mechanisms mediating GAG biological functions. They include the regulation of GAG biosynthesis and postsynthetic modifications in heparin (HP) and HS, the composition, heterogeneity, and function of the tetrasaccharide linkage region and its role in disease, the functional characterization of the new PGs recently identified by glycoproteomics, the selectivity of interactions mediated by GAG chains, the display of GAG chains and PGs at the cell surface and their impact on the availability and activity of soluble ligands, and on their move through the glycocalyx layer to reach their receptors, the human GAG profile in health and disease, the roles of GAGs and particular PGs (syndecans, decorin, and biglycan) involved in cancer, inflammation, and fibrosis, the possible use of GAGs and PGs as disease biomarkers, and the design of inhibitors targeting GAG biosynthetic enzymes and GAG-protein interactions to develop novel therapeutic approaches.

In Vitro Investigation of Hyaluronan/CD44 Network.

Hyaluronan is one of the most influential components of the extracellular matrix. It is involved in the regulation of normal tissue function and architecture, while its metabolism is perturbed in a multitude of human diseases like inflammation, cancer, and viral infection. Given the implication of hyaluronan in a vast array of diseases, we describe here assays that can be utilized to study the quantity, size, subcellular localization, and binding capacity of hyaluronan by cells as well as its interactions with its major cellular receptor, CD44. Hopefully, these protocols will provide researchers with useful tools to study the complex hyaluronan biology.

Hyaluronan-Induced CD44-iASPP Interaction Affects Fibroblast Migration and Survival.

In the present study, we show that the inhibitor of the apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53 (iASPP) physically interacts with the hyaluronan receptor CD44 in normal and transformed cells. We noticed that the CD44 standard isoform (CD44s), but not the variant isoform (CD44v), bound to iASPP via the ankyrin-binding domain in CD44s. The formation of iASPP-CD44s complexes was promoted by hyaluronan stimulation in fibroblasts but not in epithelial cells. The cellular level of p53 affected the amount of the iASPP-CD44 complex. iASPP was required for hyaluronan-induced CD44-dependent migration and adhesion of fibroblasts. Of note, CD44 altered the sub-cellular localization of the iASPP-p53 complex; thus, ablation of CD44 promoted translocation of iASPP from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, resulting in increased formation of a cytoplasmic iASPP-p53 complex in fibroblasts. Overexpression of iASPP decreased, but CD44 increased the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Knock-down of CD44s, in the presence of p53, led to increased cell growth and cell density of fibroblasts by suppression of p27 and p53. Our observations suggest that the balance of iASPP-CD44 and iASPP-p53 complexes affect the survival and migration of fibroblasts.

Hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) promotes breast cancer cell invasion by suppression of tissue metalloproteinase inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1).

Invasion and metastasis are the primary causes of breast cancer mortality, and increased knowledge about the molecular mechanisms involved in these processes is highly desirable. High levels of hyaluronan in breast tumors have been correlated with poor patient survival. The involvement of hyaluronan in the early invasive phase of a clone of breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 that forms bone metastases was studied using an in vivo-like basement membrane model. The metastatic to bone tumor cells exhibited a 7-fold higher hyaluronan-synthesizing capacity compared with MDA-MB-231 cells predominately due to an increased expression of hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2). We found that knockdown of HAS2 completely suppressed the invasive capability of these cells by the induction of tissue metalloproteinase inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1) and dephosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase. HAS2 knockdown-mediated inhibition of basement membrane remodeling was rescued by HAS2 overexpression, transfection with TIMP-1 siRNA, or addition of TIMP-1-blocking antibodies. Moreover, knockdown of HAS2 suppressed the EGF-mediated induction of the focal adhesion kinase/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Thus, this study provides new insights into a possible mechanism whereby HAS2 enhances breast cancer invasion.

Hyaluronan synthesis is inhibited by adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase through the regulation of HAS2 activity in human aortic smooth muscle cells.

Hyaluronan (HA) is an extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan (GAG) involved in cell motility, proliferation, tissue remodeling, development, differentiation, inflammation, tumor progression, and invasion and controls vessel thickening in cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the control of HA synthesis could permit the fine-tuning of cell behavior, but the mechanisms that regulate HA synthesis are largely unknown. Recent studies suggest that the availability of the nucleotide-sugar precursors has a critical role. Because the formation of UDP-sugars is a highly energetically demanding process, we have analyzed whether the energy status of the cell could control GAG production. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is the main ATP/AMP sensor of mammalian cells, and we mimicked an energy stress by treating human aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs) with the AMPK activators 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-ß-D-ribofuranoside and metformin. Under these conditions, HA synthesis, but not that of the other GAGs, was greatly reduced. We confirmed the inhibitory effect of AMPK using a specific inhibitor and knock-out cell lines. We found that AMPK phosphorylated Thr-110 of human HAS2, which inhibits its enzymatic activity. In contrast, the other two HAS isoenzymes (HAS1 and HAS3) were not modified by the kinase. The reduction of HA decreased the ability of AoSMCs to proliferate, migrate, and recruit immune cells, thereby reducing the pro-atherosclerotic AoSMC phenotype. Interestingly, such effects were not recovered by treatment with exogenous HA, suggesting that AMPK can block the pro-atherosclerotic signals driven by HA by interaction with its receptors.

CD44 Depletion in Glioblastoma Cells Suppresses Growth and Stemness and Induces Senescence.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a lethal brain tumor, characterized by enhanced proliferation and invasion, as well as increased vascularization and chemoresistance. The expression of the hyaluronan receptor CD44 has been shown to correlate with GBM progression and poor prognosis. Here, we sought to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which CD44 promotes GBM progression by knocking out (KO) CD44, employing CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in U251MG cells. CD44-depleted cells exhibited an impaired proliferation rate, as shown by the decreased cell numbers, decreased Ki67-positive cell nuclei, diminished phosphorylation of CREB, and increased levels of the cell cycle inhibitor p16 compared to control cells. Furthermore, the CD44 KO cells showed decreased stemness and increased senescence, which was manifested upon serum deprivation. In stem cell-like enriched spheres, RNA-sequencing analysis of U251MG cells revealed a CD44 dependence for gene signatures related to hypoxia, the glycolytic pathway, and G2 to M phase transition. Partially similar results were obtained when cells were treated with the γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT, which inhibits CD44 cleavage and therefore inhibits the release of the intracellular domain (ICD) of CD44, suggesting that certain transcriptional responses are dependent on CD44-ICD. Interestingly, the expression of molecules involved in hyaluronan synthesis, degradation, and interacting matrix proteins, as well as of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) isoforms and PDGF receptors, were also deregulated in CD44 KO cells. These results were confirmed by the knockdown of CD44 in another GBM cell line, U2990. Notably, downregulation of hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) impaired the hypoxia-related genes and decreased the CD44 protein levels, suggesting a CD44/hyaluronan feedback circuit contributing to GBM progression.

Identification of a Small Molecule Inhibitor of Hyaluronan Synthesis, DDIT, Targeting Breast Cancer Cells.

Breast cancer is a common cancer in women. Breast cancer cells synthesize large amounts of hyaluronan to assist their proliferation, survival, migration and invasion. Accumulation of hyaluronan and overexpression of its receptor CD44 and hyaluronidase TMEM2 in breast tumors correlate with tumor progression and reduced overall survival of patients. Currently, the only known small molecule inhibitor of hyaluronan synthesis is 4-methyl-umbelliferone (4-MU). Due to the importance of hyaluronan for breast cancer progression, our aim was to identify new, potent and chemically distinct inhibitors of its synthesis. Here, we report a new small molecule inhibitor of hyaluronan synthesis, the thymidine analog 5'-Deoxy-5'-(1,3-Diphenyl-2-Imidazolidinyl)-Thymidine (DDIT). This compound is more potent than 4-MU and displays significant anti-tumorigenic properties. Specifically, DDIT inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and cancer stem cell self-renewal by suppressing HAS-synthesized hyaluronan. DDIT appears as a promising lead compound for the development of inhibitors of hyaluronan synthesis with potential usefulness in breast cancer treatment.

Hyaluronan nanoscale clustering and Hyaluronan synthase 2 expression are linked to the invasion of child fibroblasts and infantile fibrosarcoma in vitro and in vivo.

Infantile fibrosarcoma is a rare childhood tumour that originates in the fibrous connective tissue of the long bones for which there is an urgent need to identify novel therapeutic targets. This study aims to clarify the role of the extracellular matrix component hyaluronan in the invasion of child fibroblasts and Infantile fibrosarcoma into the surrounding environment. Using nanoscale super-resolution STED (Stimulated emission depletion) microscopy followed by computational image analysis, we observed, for the first time, that invasive child fibroblasts showed increased nanoscale clustering of hyaluronan at the cell periphery, as compared to control cells. Hyaluronan was not observed within focal adhesions. Bioinformatic analyses further revealed that the increased nanoscale hyaluronan clustering was accompanied by increased gene expression of Hyaluronan synthase 2, reduced expression of Hyaluronidase 2 and CD44, and no change of Hyaluronan synthase 1 and Hyaluronidases 1, 3, 4 or 5. We further observed that the expression of the Hyaluronan synthase 1, 2 and 3, and the Hyaluronidase 3 and 5 genes was linked to reduced life expectancy of fibrosarcoma patients. The invasive front of infantile fibrosarcoma tumours further showed increased levels of hyaluronan, as compared to the tumour centre. Taken together, our findings are consistent with the possibility that while Hyaluronan synthase 2 increases the levels, the Hyaluronidases 3 and 5 reduce the weight of hyaluronan, resulting in the nanoscale clustering of hyaluronan at the leading edge of cells, cell invasion and the spread of Infantile fibrosarcoma.

The natural antisense transcript HAS2-AS1 regulates breast cancer cells aggressiveness independently from hyaluronan metabolism.

Hyaluronan (HA) is a ubiquitous extracellular matrix component playing a crucial role in the regulation of cell behaviors, including cancer. Aggressive breast cancer cells tend to proliferate, migrate and metastatize. Notably, triple-negative breast cancer cells lacking the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) as well as progesterone receptor and HER2 are more aggressive than ER-positive ones. As currently no targeted therapy is available for triple-negative breast cancer, the identification of novel therapeutic targets has a high clinical priority. In ER-negative cells, tumoral behavior can be reduced by inhibiting HA synthesis or silencing the enzymes involved in its metabolism, such as HA synthase 2 (HAS2). HAS2-AS1 is a long non-coding RNA belonging to the natural antisense transcript family which is known to favor HAS2 gene expression and HA synthesis, thus bolstering malignant progression in brain, ovary, and lung tumors. As the role of HAS2-AS1 has not yet been investigated in breast cancer, in this work we report that ER-positive breast cancers had lower HAS2-AS1 expression compared to ER-negative tumors. Moreover, the survival of patients with ER-negative tumors was higher when the expression of HAS2-AS1 was elevated. Experiments with ER-negative cell lines as MDA-MB-231 and Hs 578T revealed that the overexpression of either the full-length HAS2-AS1 or its exon 2 long or short isoforms alone, strongly reduced cell viability, migration, and invasion, whereas HAS2-AS1 silencing increased cell aggressiveness. Unexpectedly, in these ER-negative cell lines, HAS2-AS1 is involved neither in the regulation of HAS2 nor in HA deposition. Finally, transcriptome analysis revealed that HAS2-AS1 modulation affected several pathways, including apoptosis, proliferation, motility, adhesion, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and signaling, describing this long non-coding RNA as an important regulator of breast cancer cells aggressiveness.

The activity of hyaluronan synthase 2 is regulated by dimerization and ubiquitination.

Hyaluronan is a component of the extracellular matrix, which affects tissue homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms of one of the hyaluronan-synthesizing enzymes, HAS2. Ectopic expression of Flag- and 6myc-HAS2 in COS-1 cells followed by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting revealed homodimers; after co-transfection with Flag-HAS3, also heterodimers were seen. Furthermore, the expressed HAS2 was ubiquitinated. We identified one acceptor site for ubiquitin on lysine residue 190. Mutation of this residue led to inactivation of the enzymatic activity of HAS2. Interestingly, K190R-mutated HAS2 formed dimers with wt HAS2 and quenched the activity of wt HAS2, thus demonstrating a functional role of the dimeric configuration.

TRAF4/6 Is Needed for CD44 Cleavage and Migration via RAC1 Activation.

The hyaluronan receptor CD44 can undergo proteolytic cleavage in two steps, leading to the release of its intracellular domain; this domain is translocated to the nucleus, where it affects the transcription of target genes. We report that CD44 cleavage in A549 lung cancer cells and other cells is promoted by transforming growth factor-beta (TGFß) in a manner that is dependent on ubiquitin ligase tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 4 or 6 (TRAF4 or TRAF6, respectively). Stem-like A549 cells grown in spheres displayed increased TRAF4-dependent expression of CD44 variant isoforms, CD44 cleavage, and hyaluronan synthesis. Mechanistically, TRAF4 activated the small GTPase RAC1. CD44-dependent migration of A549 cells was inhibited by siRNA-mediated knockdown of TRAF4, which was rescued by the transfection of a constitutively active RAC1 mutant. Our findings support the notion that TRAF4/6 mediates pro-tumorigenic effects of CD44, and suggests that inhibitors of CD44 signaling via TRAF4/6 and RAC1 may be beneficial in the treatment of tumor patients.

Plasma hyaluronan, hyaluronidase activity and endogenous hyaluronidase inhibition in sepsis: an experimental and clinical cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Plasma hyaluronan concentrations are increased during sepsis but underlying mechanisms leading to high plasma hyaluronan concentration are poorly understood. In this study we evaluate the roles of plasma hyaluronan, effective plasma hyaluronidase (HYAL) activity and its endogenous plasma inhibition in clinical and experimental sepsis. We specifically hypothesized that plasma HYAL acts as endothelial glycocalyx shedding enzyme, sheddase. METHODS: Plasma hyaluronan, effective HYAL activity and HYAL inhibition were measured in healthy volunteers (n = 20), in patients with septic shock (n = 17, day 1 and day 4), in patients with acute pancreatitis (n = 7, day 1 and day 4) and in anesthetized and mechanically ventilated pigs (n = 16). Sixteen pigs were allocated (unblinded, open label) into three groups: Sepsis-1 with infusion of live Escherichia coli (E. coli) 1 × 108 CFU/h of 12 h (n = 5), Sepsis-2 with infusion of E. coli 1 × 108 CFU/h of 6 h followed by 1 × 109 CFU/h of the remaining 6 h (n = 5) or Control with no E. coli infusion (n = 6). RESULTS: In experimental E. coli porcine sepsis and in time controls, plasma hyaluronan increases with concomitant decrease in effective plasma HYAL activity and increase of endogenous HYAL inhibition. Plasma hyaluronan increased in patients with septic shock but not in acute pancreatitis. Effective plasma HYAL was lower in septic shock and acute pancreatitis as compared to healthy volunteers, while plasma HYAL inhibition was only increased in septic shock. CONCLUSION: Elevated plasma hyaluronan levels coincided with a concomitant decrease in effective plasma HYAL activity and increase of endogenous plasma HYAL inhibition both in experimental and clinical sepsis. In acute pancreatitis, effective plasma HYAL activity was decreased which was not associated with increased plasma hyaluronan concentrations or endogenous HYAL inhibition. The results suggest that plasma HYAL does not act as sheddase in sepsis or pancreatitis.

Proteomic identification of CD44 interacting proteins.

CD44 is a cell surface receptor for hyaluronan which affects cell adhesion and migration, and has been implicated in chronic inflammation and in tumorigenesis. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its multiple functions, we used a peptide-based pull-down assay to identify proteins that interact with CD44. Nonphosphorylated or phosphorylated peptides from the intracellular CD44 C-terminus, were immobilized and used as baits. Interacting proteins were subjected to SDS-gel electrophoresis and were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Several interaction partners were identified, including proteins involved in cytoskeletal reorganization, transcription, endocytosis, and intracellular transport. An endogenous complex between CD44 and one of the interacting proteins, the actin binding protein IQGAP1, was demonstrated in several normal and transformed cell types.

Involvement of hyaluronan and CD44 in cancer and viral infections.

Hyaluronan and its major receptor CD44 are ubiquitously distributed. They have important structural as well as signaling roles, regulating tissue homeostasis, and their expression levels are tightly regulated. In addition to signaling initiated by the interaction of the intracellular domain of CD44 with cytoplasmic signaling molecules, CD44 has important roles as a co-receptor for different types of receptors of growth factors and cytokines. Dysregulation of hyaluronan-CD44 interactions is seen in diseases, such as inflammation and cancer. In the present communication, we discuss the mechanism of hyaluronan-induced signaling via CD44, as well as the involvement of hyaluronan-engaged CD44 in malignancies and in viral infections.

Salicylate suppresses the oncogenic hyaluronan network in metastatic breast cancer cells.

The oncogenic role of hyaluronan in several aspects of tumor biology has been well established. Recent studies by us and others suggest that inhibition of hyaluronan synthesis could represent an emerging therapeutic approach with significant clinical relevance in controlling different breast cancer subtypes, including triple-negative breast cancer. Epidemiological and preclinical studies have revealed the therapeutic potential of aspirin (acetyl salicylate), a classical anti-inflammatory drug, in patients with cancer. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. The present study demonstrates that salicylate, a break down product of aspirin in vivo, alters the organization of hyaluronan matrices by affecting the expression levels of hyaluronan synthesizing (HAS1, 2, 3) and degrading (HYAL-1, -2) enzymes, and that of hyaluronan receptor CD44. In particular, salicylate was found to potently activate AMPK, a kinase known to inhibit HAS2 activity, and caused a dose-dependent decrease of cell associated (intracellular and membrane-bound) as well as secreted hyaluronan, followed by the down-regulation of HAS2 and the induction of HYAL-2 and CD44 in metastatic breast cancer cells. These salicylate-mediated effects were associated with the redistribution of CD44 and actin cytoskeleton that resulted in a less motile cell phenotype. Interestingly, salicylate inhibited metastatic breast cancer cell proliferation and growth by inducing cell growth arrest without signs of apoptosis as evidenced by the substantial decrease of cyclin D1 protein and the absence of cleaved caspase-3, respectively. Collectively, our study offers a possible direction for the development of new matrix-based targeted treatments of metastatic breast cancer subtypes via inhibition of hyaluronan, a pro-angiogenic, pro-inflammatory and tumor promoting glycosaminoglycan.