Basigin/CD147 promotes the activation of signal transduction mediated by MyD88 and TRIF

Basigin/EMMPRIN/CD147 has been reported to be associated with inflammatory diseases and cancers. Detailed insight into this multifunctional protein in the context of cellular functions may provide a key to its pathophysiological role in many diseases. Here, we investigated the potential role of basigin in activation of the NF-κB and AP-1 signaling cascades associated with the MyD88 and TRIF adaptor proteins. MyD88- and TRIF-dependent activation of NF-κB signaling pathway was inhibited by basigin-specific antibody and siRNA. In addition, induction of TRIF-dependent, but MyD88-independent, AP-1 activation was inhibited by basigin-specific siRNA. Taken together, these results suggest that basigin plays a key regulatory role in activation of MyD88- and TRIF-mediated cell signaling pathways, and provide an important insight into basigin-mediated cellular processes that can serve as a guide for the development of new anti-inflammatory therapeutics via intervention in basigin-mediated cellular functions.