Figure 2
From: Tissue transglutaminase as a central mediator in inflammation-induced progression of breast cancer
Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) expression induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stem cellness in mammary epithelial cells. Stable expression of TG2 in mammary epithelial cells (shown are MCF-10A cells) resulted in appreciable morphologic and biochemical changes. Considered the hallmarks of the mesenchymal phenotype, these TG2-induced changes are associated with increased invasiveness, resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs, and acquisition of stem cell traits (increase in CD44+/CD24low/− subpopulation, increased capability to form mammospheres and self-renewal ability, and cellular plasticity).