Syndecan-1 (CD138), Carcinomas and EMT

Cell surface proteoglycans are known to be important regulators of many aspects of cell behavior. The principal family of transmembrane proteoglycans is the syndecans, of which there are four in mammals. Syndecan-1 is mostly restricted to epithelia, and bears heparan sulfate chains that are capable of interacting with a large array of polypeptides, including extracellular matrix components and potent mediators of proliferation, adhesion and migration. For this reason, it has been studied extensively with respect to carcinomas and tumor progression. Frequently, but not always, syndecan-1 levels decrease as tumor grade, stage and invasiveness and dedifferentiation increase. This parallels experiments that show depletion of syndecan-1 can be accompanied by loss of cadherin-mediated adhesion. However, in some tumors, levels of syndecan-1 increase, but the characterization of its distribution is relevant. There can be loss of membrane staining, but acquisition of cytoplasmic and/or nuclear staining that is abnormal. Moreover, the appearance of syndecan-1 in the tumor stroma, either associated with its cellular component or the collagenous matrix, is nearly always a sign of poor prognosis. Given its relevance to myeloma progression, syndecan-1-directed antibody-toxin conjugates are being tested in clinical and preclinical trials, and may have future relevance to some carcinomas.

Automated summary

Cell surface proteoglycans, such as syndecans, play crucial roles in regulating cell behavior, including interactions with extracellular matrix components and mediating proliferation, adhesion, and migration. In tumors, changes in the levels and distribution of syndecan-1 can have implications for prognosis, with loss of membrane staining and abnormal cytoplasmic or nuclear staining often indicating poor outcomes. Targeting syndecan-1 with antibody-toxin conjugates may hold promise for clinical applications in both myeloma and some carcinomas.