Cathepsin K cleavage of SDF-1α inhibits its chemotactic activity towards glioblastoma stem-like cells

In conclusion, CatK can cleave and inactivate SDF-1α. This implies that CatK activity facilitates migration of GSLCs out of niches. We propose that activation of CatK may be a promising strategy to prevent homing of GSLCs in niches and thus render these cells sensitive to chemotherapy and radiation.