CD44 Knockout SK-HEP-1 Polyclonal Cells are a CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal knockout cell population derived from the human hepatic adenocarcinoma cell line SK-HEP-1, designed for loss-of-function studies of the CD44 gene. The polyclonal pool provides a heterogeneous knockout model suitable for pooled functional assays, enabling robust assessment of CD44??s role in cancer biology.
The SK-HEP-1 cell line, isolated from ascites fluid of a patient with liver adenocarcinoma, exhibits epithelial morphology and serves as a widely used model of hepatocellular carcinoma. It is extensively employed in studies of tumor cell migration, invasion, and drug resistance, making it an optimal host for interrogating CD44-dependent processes.
CD44 encodes a transmembrane glycoprotein that functions as the principal receptor for hyaluronan, mediating cell adhesion and signaling. Upon ligand engagement, CD44 interacts with intracellular adaptors such as ERM proteins, linking to the actin cytoskeleton via Rho GTPases, and activates survival pathways through PI3K/Akt and proliferative signals via Ras-MAPK/ERK. CD44 signaling is modulated by upstream regulators including TGF-??, EGF, HGF, and Wnt3a, and promotes expression of downstream targets such as MMP9, VEGF, and cyclin D1, facilitating extracellular matrix remodeling and cell cycle progression.
In the hepatocellular carcinoma context of SK-HEP-1 cells, CD44 is implicated in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), enhanced migratory capacity, and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Disruption of CD44 in this polyclonal model allows researchers to dissect its contribution to tumor aggressiveness and to evaluate therapeutic strategies targeting CD44?Chyaluronan interactions.
Typical applications include western blotting and RT-qPCR to analyze CD44 and EMT marker expression, Transwell migration and Matrigel invasion assays to quantify metastatic potential, flow cytometry to confirm surface receptor loss, and phospho-signaling analysis of Akt and ERK activation. The knockout cells are also valuable for hyaluronan binding assays, co-immunoprecipitation of CD44-associated complexes, and drug sensitivity screens. These CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal knockout cells provide a powerful tool for preclinical research into hepatocellular carcinoma and CD44-driven metastasis. For further information, please contact Ascent Research.
