New insights into the role of podoplanin in epithelial–mesenchymal transition

Podoplanin is a small mucin-like transmembrane protein expressed in several adult tissues and with an important role during embryogenesis. It is needed for the proper development of kidneys and lungs as well as accurate formation of the lymphatic vascular system. In addition, it is involved in the physiology of the immune system. A wide variety of tumors express podoplanin, both in the malignant cells and in the stroma. Although there are exceptions, the presence of podoplanin results in poor prognosis. The main consequence of forced podoplanin expression in established and tumor-derived cell lines is an increase in cell migration and, eventually, the triggering of an epithelial–mesenchymal transition, whereby cells acquire a fibroblastoid phenotype and increased motility. We will examine the current status of the role of podoplanin in the induction of epithelial–mesenchymal transition as well as the different interactions that lead to this program.Work in our laboratory is financed by grants SAF2013-46183-R from the Ministery of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO), and S2010/BMD-2359 from the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid. PC-R holds a predoctoral contract from the Ministery of Economy and Competitiveness. EM-V is the recipient of a postdoctoral research contract from the Scientific Foundation of Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC). MMY was supported by a contract from the Ministery of Economy and Competitiveness.Peer reviewe