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Invasion potential and N‐acetylgalactosamine expression in a human melanoma model
Author(s) -
Rye Phil D.,
Fodstad Øystein,
Emilsen Elisabeth,
Bryne Magne
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0215(19980209)75:4<609::aid-ijc19>3.0.co;2-3
Subject(s) - glycoconjugate , matrigel , cell culture , biology , lectin , antigen , microbiology and biotechnology , galectin 3 , antibody , metastasis , peanut agglutinin , melanoma , cancer research , chemistry , immunology , biochemistry , cancer , genetics
Reactivity of the N ‐acetylgalactosamine‐binding Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA) in tumours has been associated with poor prognosis and metastasis development. In our LOX/FEMX‐I human melanoma model, the binding of HPA correlates with experimental lung metastasis formation in athymic nude mice. In the present study, the metastatic potential of 2 human melanoma cell lines (LOX and FEMX‐I) was assessed in relation to carbohydrate and invasive phenotype. Immuno‐cytological and invasion assays highlighted significant differences between these 2 cell lines. Immuno‐cytochemical analysis confirmed the widespread expression of HPA‐binding glycoconjugates on LOX but not FEMX‐I cells. One of these HPA‐binding glycoconjugates, the Tn antigen, was expressed highly on the surface of LOX cells but only weakly in the cytoplasm of FEMX‐I cells. The sialyl Tn antigen was expressed in FEMX‐I but not in LOX cells. There was no difference between the cell lines in adhesion/rate of trapping in athymic nude mouse lung tissues. In Matrigel invasion assays, LOX cells demonstrated an invasion potential more than 6 times greater than that observed with FEMX‐I cells. Matrigel invasion of LOX cells was inhibited after incubation with HPA (89%) compared to controls with HPA and GalNAc blocking sugar or without HPA ( p < 0.0005 at 5 df). In contrast, there was no inhibitory effect with the anti‐Tn antibody IE3. Invasion of FEMX‐I cells was not affected by the lectin and the IE3 antibody. Immuno‐cytochemical analysis revealed expression of the terminal galactose‐ and polylactosamine‐binding lectin galectin 3 (Mac‐2) in these melanoma cell lines. Expression of both the lectin and its receptor may be a contributory feature in the pulmonary invasion of LOX melanoma cells. Overall, our findings suggest that HPA‐binding glycoconjugates other than the αGalNAc‐O‐Ser/Thr of the Tn antigen may be important in the extracellular matrix invasion of LOX melanoma cells. Int. J. Cancer 75:609–614, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.