Table 1.
CSC marker | Proposed function |
CD44 | ECM binding, organization of actin cytoskeleton, modulation of mitogenic signaling[112] |
CD24 | P-Selectin binding, cell migration[113] |
ESA | Mediation of epithelial intercellular adhesion[114] |
CD133 | Activation of Wnt signaling and angiogenesis[115,116] |
CXCR4 | Receptor of SDF-1, hematopoietic stem cell homing, invasion[117] |
MET | Receptor of HGF, promotes cell growth, proliferation, migration[11] |
u-PA | ECM degradation, cell migration[118] |
Note the pattern of migratory functions associated with cancer stem cell (CSC) markers. ECM: Extracellular matrix; ESA: Epithelial specific antigen; CXCR4: Chemokine receptor type 4; SDF-1: Stromal cell-derived factor 1; MET: Mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor; HGF: Hepatocyte growth factor; u-PA: Urokinase-type plasminogen activator.