Does Loss of CD151 Expression Promote the Metastasis of Hypoxic Colon Cancer Cells?

Abstract

Intratumoral hypoxia increases invasion and metastasis through multiple mechanisms, including changes in gene expression that are mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1. In hypoxic colon cancer cells, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 inhibits the expression of CD151, a cell surface molecule that normally tethers epithelial cells to the basement membrane, which may promote metastasis.