MMP-9 induces CD44 cleavage and CD44 mediated cell migration in glioblastoma xenograft cells

► The MMP-9 acts as a processing enzyme for CD44 cleavage. ► Activated MMP-9 protein induced CD44 cleavage in vitro. ► Transcriptional knockdown of either CD44 or MMP-9 inhibits cell migration. ► Supplementation of MMP-9 resumed shMMP-9 inhibited CD44 cleavage and migration. ► CD44 extracellular domain plays a critical role in cell migration and invasion.