Expression of CD147 mediates tumor cells invasion and multidrug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Multidrug resistant (MDR) tumor cells over-expressing P-glycoprotein exhibit variation in invasive behavior. To investigate the mechanisms, we analyzed the expression of CD147. The results showed that CD147 expression was increased in HepG2/Adr cells, as compared to HepG2 cells. The MDR cells produced more MMP11 and MDR1, which promoted HepG2/Adr cells invasion and increased resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. On the other hand, CD147 silencing in HepG2/Adr cells by RNAi led to the opposite effect. Treatment of tumor cells with U-0126, an inhibitor of MAPK/Erk, also down-regulated MMP11 and MDR1 expression. Thus, CD147 may functionally mediate tumor cells invasion and MDR.