Claudin-3 facilitates the progression and mediates the tumorigenic effects of TGF-β in glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a significantly malignant and lethal brain tumor with an average survival time of less than 12 months. Several researches had shown that Claudin-3 (CLDN3) is overexpressed in various cancers and might be important in their growth and spread. In this study, we used qRT-PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining assays to investigate the expression levels of various proteins. To explore the proliferation abilities of GBM cells, we conducted the CCK-8 and EdU-DNA formation assays. Wound healing and transwell assays were used to investigate the capacities of invasion and migration of GBM cells. Additionally, we constructed an intracranial xenograft model of GBM to study the in vivo role of CLDN3. Our study devoted to investigate the function of CLDN3 in the pathogenesis and progression of GBM. Our study revealed that CLDN3 was upregulated in GBM and could stimulate tumor cell growth and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in both laboratory and animal models. We also discovered that CLDN3 expression could be triggered by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and reduced by specific inhibitors of the TGF-β signaling pathway, such as ITD-1. Further analysis revealed that increased CLDN3 levels enhanced TGF-β-induced growth and EMT in GBM cells, while reducing CLDN3 levels weakened these effects. Our study demonstrated the function of CLDN3 in facilitating GBM growth and metastasis and indicated its involvement in the tumorigenic effects of TGF-β. Developing specific inhibitors of CLDN3 might, therefore, represent a promising new approach for treating this devastating disease.