HAb18G/CD147 is involved in TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and hepatocellular carcinoma invasion

• Published in: Cell biology international Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 44 - 51
• Main Authors: Ru, Ning-Yu, Wu, Jiao, Chen, Zhi-Nan, Bian, Huijie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Basigin - chemistry; Basigin - genetics; Basigin - metabolism; Cadherins - metabolism; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - metabolism; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - pathology; CD147; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement - drug effects; epithelial-mesenchymal transition; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition - drug effects; Hep G2 Cells; hepatocellular carcinoma; Humans; Liver Neoplasms - metabolism; Liver Neoplasms - pathology; RNA Interference; RNA, Small Interfering - metabolism; Snail Family Transcription Factors; TGF-β; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 - pharmacology; Up-Regulation - drug effects; Vimentin - metabolism; TGF-β; epithelial-mesenchymal transition; CD147; hepatocellular carcinoma
• ISSN: 1065-6995; 1095-8355; 1095-8355
• DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10341

Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by the transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) is involved in hepatocarcinogenesis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis. HAb18G/CD147, a member of the immunoglobulin family, plays an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. HAb18G/CD147 promotes EMT of hepatocytes through TGF‐β signaling and is transcriptionally regulated by Slug. We investigated the role of HAb18G/CD147 in TGF‐β‐induced EMT in HCC invasion. Two human HCC cell lines, SMMC‐7721 and HepG2, were used to determine the role of HAb18G/CD147 in EMT. Upregulation of HAb18G/CD147 induced by the high doses of TGF‐β1 in SMMC‐7721 (5 ng/mL) and HepG2 cells (10 ng/mL) (P < 0.05). CD147 upregulation was coupled with upregulation of Snail1 and Slug. CD147 knockout significantly decreased the expression of N‐cadherin and vimentin, and colony formation ability of SMMC‐7721 cells. TGF‐β1 enhanced the migration capacity of SMMC‐7721 cells, which was markedly attenuated by CD147 knockdown. Thus, HAb18G/CD147 is involved in TGF‐β‐induced EMT and HCC invasion.