The extracellular matrix (ECM) is one of the major components of tumors that plays multiple
crucial roles, including mechanical support, modulation of the microenvironment, and a …

Cancer metastasis is the major cause of cancer morbidity and mortality, and accounts for
about 90% of cancer deaths. Although cancer survival rate has been significantly improved …

Can an abundantly expressed molecule be a reliable marker for the cancer-initiating cells
(CICs; also known as cancer stem cells), which constitute the minority of cells within the …

A growing body of evidence supports crucial roles for glycans at various pathophysiological
steps of tumour progression. Glycans regulate tumour proliferation, invasion …

Publisher Summary CD44 is a ubiquitous multistructural and multifunctional cell surface
adhesion molecule involved in cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. CD44s is a single …

The CD44 molecule is known to display extensive size heterogeneity, which has been
attributed both to alternative splicing and to differential glycosylation within the extracellular …

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on CD44 and its interaction with extracellular
matrix. CD44 is a broadly distributed family of cell surface glycoprotein that has been studied …

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a ubiquitous member of the body and is key to the
maintenance of tissue and organ integrity. Initially thought to be a bystander in many cellular …

Matrix metalloproteinases are versatile endopeptidases with many different functions in the
body in health and disease. In the brain, matrix metalloproteinases are critical for tissue …

The CD44 proteins form a ubiquitously expressed family of cell surface adhesion molecules
involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. The multiple protein isoforms are encoded …