CD147 mediates chemoresistance in breast cancer via ABCG2 by affecting its cellular localization and dimerization

• CD147 regulates ABCG2 protein expression and function in breast cancer cells.
• CD147 influences ABCG2’s cellular location and dimerization.
• CD147 and ABCG2 have significant correlation in breast invasive ductal cancer.
• Both protein expressions are higher in chemotherapy-resistant group.
• CD147 can mediate chemoresistance via ABCG2.

CD147 and ABCG2 both have been reported to mediate Multidrug resistance (MDR) in breast cancer. Recent study demonstrates that CD147 could form a complex with ABCG2 on the cell membrane in primary effusion lymphoma. However, whether these two molecules regulate each other in breast cancer and result in MDR is not clear. We established four MCF-7 cell lines transfected with CD147 and/or ABCG2 and found that CD147 could increase the expression and dimerization of ABCG2, affect its cellular localization and regulate its drug transporter function. The findings derived from cells were confirmed subsequently in clinic samples of chemotherapy-sensitive/resistant breast cancer.