Interactions between pairs of membrane-bound receptors can enhance tumour development with implications for targeted therapies for cancer. Here we demonstrate clear heterotypic interaction between CD74 and CD44, which might act in synergy and hence contribute to breast cancer progression. CD74, a type II transmembrane glycoprotein, is a chaperone for MHC class II biosynthesis and a receptor for the MIF. CD44 is the receptor for hyaluronic acid and is a Type I transmembrane protein. Interactions between CD74, MIF and the intra-cytoplasmic domain of CD44 result in activation of ERK1/2 pathway, leading to increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis. The level of CD44 in the breast tumor cell lines CAMA-1, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435 and the immortalized normal luminal cell line 226LDM was higher than that of CD74. It was also observed that CD74 and CD44 exhibit significant variation in expression levels across the cells. CD74 and CD44 were observed to accumulate in cytoplasmic compartments, suggesting they associate with each other to facilitate tumour growth and metastasis. Use of a novel and validated colocalisation and image processing approach, coupled with co-immunoprecipitation, confirmed that CD74 and CD44 physically interact, suggesting a possible role in breast tumour growth. This is the first time that CD74 and CD44 colocalization has been quantified in breast cancer cells using a non-invasive and validated bioimaging procedure. Measuring the co-expression levels of CD74 and CD44 could potentially be used as a ‘biomarker signature’ to monitor different stages of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The cluster of differentiation (CD) 74 is known for its immunological functions and its elevated level was reported in various cancer cells. AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression and potential roles of CD74 in the proliferative and apoptotic activity of breast cancer. METHODS: Expression of CD74, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and CD44 was assayed in CAMA-1 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines using flow cytometry. CD74 was knocked down using CD74 siRNA-transfection in CAMA-1, and MDA-MB-231 cells and proliferation and apoptosis were determined in the transfected breast cancer cells. RESULTS: The data showed that CD74, MIF and CD44 were expressed in breast cancer cell lines and were associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis. Correlation analysis revealed that CD74 was positively correlated and colocalised with MIF on the cell-surface of CAMA-1 and MDA-MB-231. The knockdown of CD74 significantly reduced CAMA-1 and MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation and increased the level of apoptotic cells. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the interactions of CD74 with MIF and CD74 with CD44 could be a potential tumour marker for breast cancer cells. Moreover, the level of co-expression of MIF and CD74 or CD44 could be a surrogate marker for the efficacy of anti-angiogenic drugs, particularly in breast cancer tumours. In short, the study revealed the potential roles of CD74 in the proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer which may serve as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.

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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is endocrine system disease which affect women ages 18 to 44 where the women’s hormones are imbalance. Recently it has been reported to occur in early age. Alteration of normal gene expression in PCOS has shown negative effects on long-term health issues. PCOS has been the responsible factor for the infertility in women of reproductive age group. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the women’s health suffering from PCOS. Earlier Studies shows correlation of PCOS upon insulin resistance with significant outcome, Current study shows the linkage between PCOS with obesity and non-obese patients. Gene expression datasets has been downloaded from GEO (control and PCOS affected patients). Normalization of the datasets were performed using R based on RMA and differentially expressed gene (DEG) were selected on the basis of p-value 0.05 followed by functional annotation of selected gene using Enrich R and DAVID. The DEGs were significantly related to PCOS with obesity and other risk factors involved in disease. The Gene Enrichment Analysis suggests alteration of genes and associated pathway in case of obesity. Current study provides a productive groundwork for specific biomarkers identification for the accurate diagnosis and efficient target for the treatment of PCOS.