The immunoglobulin superfamily member CD147 plays an important role in fetal, neuronal,
lymphocyte and extracellular matrix development. Here we review the current understanding
of CD147 expression and protein interactions with regard to CD147 function and its role in
pathologic conditions including heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke and cancer. A
model linking hypoxic conditions found within the tumor microenvironment to upregulation of
CD147 expression and tumor progression is introduced.