Fig. 5

ITGB1 and tumor stemness. A CD24⁺CD44⁺ stem cells were identified in the PANC-1 cell line, with increased expression of ITGB1. These cells are more invasive than CD24⁻CD44⁻ cells in pancreatic cancer. These cells have the ability to activate CAF and promote the production of collagen, thus further promoting self-renewal and migration of pancreatic cancer cells, and increasing the frequency of cancer cells transforming into stem cells through FAK activation. In addition, pancreatic CSC exhibits a higher level of ALDH, which is related to its metastatic ability. Meanwhile, these ALDH⁺CSCs demonstrate high levels of ITGB1-FAK expression. B TN-C, a ligand of ITGB1 and ITGB3, can be produced by breast cancer cells to encourage self-renewal of CSC and enhance its ability to initiate metastasis. C In CD133⁻CRC cells, ITGB1 promotes reprogramming of stem cell transcription factors and restores tumorigenic potential and stem-cell-like characteristics. D In CRC, downregulation of SDC1 synergistically promotes the activation of ITGB1 and FAK, increasing the invasiveness of cancer cells and the advantages conferred by the use of CSCs