RNA genetics of breast cancer: maspin as paradigm.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M J Hendrix.
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We have recently reported that concomitant with an increase in invasiveness, there is an increase in the expression and secretion of the matrix-degrading 72 kDa gelatinase A/type IV collagenase (MMP-2) in a moderately invasive human melanoma cell line (A375M) upon perturbation of the alpha v beta 3 classic vitronectin receptor. In the present study, we have extended these observations to include a highly invasive and metastatic melanoma cell line (C8161) which expresses a comparable amount of the alpha 5 beta 1 integrin (classic fibronectin receptor), but very little alpha v beta 3 integrin on its surface. When perturbed with an anti-alpha 5 beta 1 antibody, C8161 cells are 89% more invasive in vitro, and express and secrete increased levels of the gelatinase A. These changes were not elicited using antibodies to the alpha v beta 3 integrin. In addition, a 73% increase in invasion of C8161 cells through a fibronectin-enhanced matrix occurred, which could be abrogated by neutralizing antibodies to gelatinase A. Furthermore, we attempted to transiently mimic the invasive phenotype of the C8161 cells by diminishing the alpha v beta 3 integrin from the A375M cell surface through fluorescence-activated cell sorting selection or deoxynojirimycin treatment, and found these cells to be 30-50% more invasive than the parental population. These data suggest that alternative modulation and signaling events could be involved in melanoma tumor cell invasion as a result of the differential expression of integrins, and strictly cataloging the presence of these integrins is but an initial step in the analysis of their functional activity.
Intermediate filament proteins have been used to diagnose the origin of specific cells. Classically, vimentin is found in mesenchymal cells, and keratins are present in epithelial cells. However, recent evidence suggests that the coexpression of these phenotype-specific proteins augments tumor cell motility, and hence, metastasis. In the present study, we used the mouse L-cell model to determine if a direct correlation exists between the expression of additional keratins in these cells, which normally express only vimentin, and their migratory ability. Mouse L cells were transfected with human keratins 8, 18, and both 8 and 18. The results indicate that the cells expressing complete keratin filaments have a higher migratory and invasive ability (through extracellular matrix-coated filters) compared with the parental and control-transfected clones. Furthermore, there is an enrichment of keratin-positive cells from a heterogeneous population of L clones selected over serial migrations. This migratory activity was directly correlated with the spreading ability of the cells on Matrigel matrix, in which the keratin-positive transfectants maintain a round morphology for a longer duration, compared with the other L-cell populations. Collectively, these data suggest that keratins may play an important role(s) in migration, through a special interaction with the extracellular environment, thereby influencing cell shape.
While a number of chemoattractants of vascular endothelial cells have now been identified in vitro, differences in methodology preclude comparisons of substances evaluated in different assays. Here, we report a standardized chemotactic assay in which the migration of calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells in a 48-well microchemotaxis chamber was determined. Nonstimulated (control) migration was remarkably constant (mean +/- SD, 96 +/- 14) from plate to plate, thus allowing the indexing of relative migration of stimulated cells to that of nonstimulated cells in the control wells of that plate. Based on the relative migrations observed in response to each of the substances evaluated, those proving to be stimulatory of migration were placed in rank order by potency. The growth factors epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-alpha, and basic fibroblast growth factor (followed by pentosan polysulfate, plasmin, fibronectin, fibrinogen, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor heparin, adenosine, and MgSO4) were the most potent. Only the platelet factors platelet-derived growth factor-BB and platelet activating factor proved inhibitory of migration. Combining fibrinogen with other chemoattractants produced either stimulation or inhibition in comparison to the migration observed with fibrinogen alone, suggesting that more than one signal transduction mechanism was, in all likelihood, invoked by the various agents. This assay will allow the rapid screening and rank ordering of additional putative chemoattractants, will facilitate the study of the biochemical mechanisms involved in endothelial cell migration, and will permit the evaluation of pharmacologic agents capable of modulating stimulated or unstimulated migration.
Tumor cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is closely linked with tumor cell invasion and metastasis. In this study, we demonstrate that low levels of adriamycin, a widely used anticancer drug, can inhibit the invasion of highly metastatic K1735-M2 mouse melanoma cells in vitro through a reconstituted basement membrane extract. Adriamycin-induced inhibition of melanoma cell invasion occurred at levels of the drug (i.e. 1 ng/ml) that did not inhibit tumor cell growth, suggesting that the observed inhibition in tumor cell invasion was not due to the well-documented ability of adriamycin to interfere with DNA and/or RNA synthesis. Rather, these studies indicated that adriamycin-induced inhibition of melanoma cell invasion was accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the ability of adriamycin-treated tumor cells to migrate in response to several isolated ECM components including fibronectin, laminin and basement membrane (type IV) collagen. The decreased migration of adriamycin-treated tumor cells was not accompanied by a decrease in the adhesion or spreading of the adriamycin-treated cells on substrata coated with these ECM components. Instead, adriamycin-treated cells actually exhibited a slightly increased propensity (compared to untreated control cells) to adhere on fibronectin-, laminin-, and type IV collagen-coated substrata. Additionally, adriamycin treatment caused a dramatic increase in focal contact formation by these melanoma cells, as assessed by fluorescent microscopy of actin and vinculin. In addition to providing a useful model for which to study the molecular and cellular basis for focal contact formation, these results further emphasize the results of several other investigators that have suggested an important role for focal contacts in modulating tumor cell motility, invasion and metastasis.
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The human melanoma cell line A375M expresses the vitronectin receptor (alpha v beta 3 integrin) on its cell surface. Treatment of A375M cells with either polyclonal or monoclonal anti-alpha v beta 3 antibodies resulted in stimulation of invasion through basement membrane matrices in vitro. Similar treatment of these cells with a monoclonal anti-alpha v antibody, which does not inhibit the adhesive function of the alpha v beta 3 antigen, also stimulated invasion; however, anti-beta 3 antibody treatment had no effect. Furthermore, pretreatment of the cells with vitronectin or addition of vitronectin to the basement membrane matrix also resulted in stimulation of invasion. Similar treatments with fibronectin receptor antibody or fibronectin had no effect on invasion. Analysis of type IV collagenase expression in cells treated with anti-alpha v beta 3 antibody showed higher levels of both the secreted 72-kDa enzyme and its mRNA. Signal transduction through the alpha v beta 3 integrin could underlie the elevated expression of metalloproteinase and the enhanced invasion of A375M cells through basement membrane matrices.
BACKGROUND: Several protein markers, including vimentin, have been used to diagnose human melanoma. Because melanoma often has metastasized by the time of diagnosis, early markers prognostic for metastatic potential need to be identified. Commonly, vimentin is found in mesenchymal cells, and keratins are present in epithelial cells, but recent studies report coexpression of vimentin and keratin(s) in epithelial and nonepithelial neoplasms, including some melanomas. PURPOSE: Our purpose was to determine whether coexpression of vimentin and keratin(s) is correlated with tumor cell invasion and metastatic behavior. METHODS: We evaluated nine human melanoma cell lines expressing vimentin and other markers of aggressive tumor behavior (HMB-45, S-100, HLA-ABC class I and HLA-DR class II histocompatibility antigens, and K8 and K18 keratins). Levels of K8 and K18 keratins were determined in the highly metastatic C8161 cell line, the poorly metastatic A375P line, and the moderately metastatic A375M line. To determine whether the presence of keratin affects migratory ability, we altered the conformational structure of keratin filaments in C8161 cells by transfection with a mutant K18 complementary DNA. We also determined messenger RNA levels of human type IV collagenase, an enzyme marker for invasion and metastasis. RESULTS: In A375P cells, two-dimensional electrophoresis with Coomassie-stained gels, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence staining showed no detectable levels of K8 or K18. A375M cells showed low levels of K8 and K18 by Western and Northern blotting, with a distinctive fluorescent subpopulation of cells. In comparison, K8 and K18 levels in C8161 cells were high in all cells. Type IV collagenase messenger RNA levels were lowest in A375P cells and highest in C8161 cells, correlating with invasive ability in vitro and metastatic potential in athymic nude mice. The transfectant clones C1070-10 and C1070-14 derived from the C8161 parent line showed dramatic morphological changes, disrupted keratin filaments, and decreased invasive and metastatic potential directly correlated with a reduction in migratory activity. CONCLUSION: These findings show a correlation between the coexpression of vimentin with K8 and K18 keratins and the invasive and metastatic behavior of three representative human melanoma cell lines.
A procedure is described for the tissue culture of epithelial cells from Barrett's specialized columnar epithelium. The method employs use of nonenzymatic disaggregation techniques and use of a specialized growth medium, M-19. Successful growth can be achieved in 60-70% of cases. Characteristics of four cultures are presented including PAS, Alcian blue, and cytokeratin staining properties. Ultrastructural studies showed the presence of distended rough endoplasmic reticulum, abundant Golgi apparatus, glycogen granules, and cell-cell junctional complexes. Colony formation in anchorage-independent growth in soft agar was not observed in any culture. The cultured cells were not capable of indefinite growth. Thus, they do not behave as fully transformed cells. Availability of this culture system should be of use to the study of the biology of this metaplastic premalignant lesion.
Prolactin is a trophic hormone which may act directly at the hepatocyte nucleus. In this study, specific prolactin binding sites were sought in purified rat liver nuclei. Saturable and specific, high affinity 125I-prolactin binding sites were demonstrated to be on or within the nucleus. Prolactin binding was competitively inhibited by rat and ovine prolactins but not by rat growth hormone. Using immunogold electron microscopy, we detected prolactin receptors throughout the nucleus, in association with heterochromatin. Furthermore, endogenous immunoreactive prolactin was demonstrated to be within hepatic nuclei. We conclude that rat liver nuclei possess prolactin binding sites which likely participate in hormone-directed growth processes.
An in vitro model, called the Membrane Invasion Culture System (MICS), was used to study the invasive potential of an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL), an EBV-negative Burkitt lymphoma (BL) cell line of American origin and an EBV-positive BL of African origin. MICS measured the ability of these cell lines to invade reconstituted basement membrane-coated filters, which correlated with their tumorigenic and metastatic capabilities in a SCID mouse model. Furthermore, the significantly greater invasive behaviour of the EBV-positive LCL was directly correlated with the cells' ability to express and secrete human type IV collagenase (72 kDa), an important metalloproteinase responsible for the degradation of collagen IV in basement membranes. The data suggest that MICS and the SCID mouse are useful tests of tumorigenicity in lymphoid cells, with measurable effects in both systems related to human type IV collagenase activity. Both models allow further exploration of malignant phenotypes associated with EBV transformation of lymphoid tissues.
Melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH, alpha-melanotropin),Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Met-Glu-His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Ly-Pro-Va l-NH2, regulates melanogenesis within epidermal melanocytes of many animals. An MSH analogue ([Nle4,D-Phe7]alpha-MSH) that exhibits superpotency and prolonged biological activity has been synthesized, biologically characterized, and is presently in clinical trials to determine its possible clinical use in tanning of the skin. It also has potential for the diagnosis, localization, and chemotherapy of melanoma. The effects of this analogue on the growth, metastatic behavior, and invasive potential of a melanotic variant of Cloudman S-91 murine melanoma are reported here. In an intracutaneous murine model of melanoma cell tumor growth, the analogue did not increase primary tumor growth (size) after the period of administration of the peptide hormone analogue and did not affect spontaneous lung metastases. Survival times for the control and melanotropin-treated groups were similar, suggesting that overall tumor burden was not affected by treatment with the hormone analogue. Last, melanoma cell invasion through a human amniotic basement membrane in vitro was not enhanced compared to untreated cells.
Although the incidence of, and deaths due to, malignant melanoma are rising at a rapid rate, few experimental models mimic the highly metastatic properties associated with the pathogenesis of the human disease, making study of the disease difficult. Thus, new human models are required to understand melanoma biology, especially its metastatic properties. Here we describe C8161, a highly invasive and spontaneously metastatic human melanoma cell line, which grows progressively in the subcutis of athymic nude mice with an average doubling time of approximately 6 days. By the time the tumor reaches a diameter of 1 cm, amelanotic metastases in lymph nodes, skin, peritoneal wall, spleen and lungs have formed. By comparing C8161 to variants from other well-characterized human malignant melanomas (A375 and MeWo) with differing metastatic traits, properties presumed to be involved in metastatic propensity were examined. C8161 showed a 2- to 14-fold higher ability to invade reconstituted basement membrane barriers in the MICS and correspondingly high type-IV collagenase mRNA levels and collagenolytic activity, as compared with other melanoma cell lines. Likewise, differential adhesion to immobilized RBM or HUVEC monolayers was observed, but did not correlate to rank orders of malignant properties. Recently, a correlation between surface expression of ICAM-1 and secondary tumor formation by human melanomas has been described in several laboratories. Basal levels of ICAM-1 on C8161, A375 and MeWo human melanomas were compared, but no correlation with metastatic potential was noted. Proto-oncogene expression in C8161 cells was compared with A375P and A375M variants using Northern blot analysis. c-myc expression was 6-fold greater than both A375 variants; c-fos expression was 3.4-fold less than A375P and 1.7-fold less than A375M; c-jun in C8161 cells was 2.5-fold and 2.1-fold greater than expression in A375P and A375M, respectively. Because C8161 is so highly malignant, amenable to experimental manipulation, and its behavior in nude mice mimics the clinical course of malignant melanoma, this cell line will prove valuable for studying properties associated with human melanoma tumor progression.
Sialyl-dimeric LeX antigen (NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4[Fuc-alpha 1-3] GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4[Fuc alpha 1-3]GlcNAc beta 1-R; SLX) is an oncodevelopmental carbohydrate antigen expressed both on glycolipids and on mucin-like glycoproteins in human colorectal carcinomas. The levels are higher in primary tumors at advanced stages than in tumors at early stages, and metastatic lesions contain a greater quantity of this antigen than corresponding primary tumors. To study whether this antigen influences the metastatic behavior of tumor cells, we selected SLX variant cells from the human colon carcinoma cell line KM12C using the specific monoclonal antibody FH6. We obtained two stable cell lines: a high expresser (KM12-HX) and a low expresser (KM12-LX) of this antigen. The growth rate of these cells are similar. A mucin-like glycoprotein reactive with monoclonal antibody FH6 was detected after electrophoretic separation of KM12-HX cell lysates but not of KM12-LX lysates. The degree of invasion was compared in assays in vitro using matrigel-coated filter membranes. The number of KM12-HX cells that invaded the membranes was significantly higher than KM12-LX cells.
The expression of the metalloproteinase stromelysin correlates with the progression of chemically induced squamous cell carcinomas. We demonstrate that the expression of activated stromelysin in papilloma-derived cells enhances in vitro cell invasion. We also demonstrate that the Ha-ras oncogene induces the transcription of the stromelysin gene through an AP-1 dependent pathway. The hypothesis is that alterations in oncogenes and suppressor genes influence stromelysin expression and thus influence subsequent steps of tumor invasion and metastasis.
Verapamil, a calcium channel antagonist, inhibits murine B16 melanoma and colon adenocarcinoma C26 tumor metastasis by altering platelet aggregation [Tsuruo, T., et al. (1985) Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol., 14:30-33]. However, the role of calcium homeostasis in regulating several biochemical pathways implicated in other steps of the metastatic cascade suggests that calcium channel antagonists could also inhibit metastasis by other mechanisms. In this report, non-toxic doses of verapamil reversibly decreased human A375M and C8161 melanoma cell invasion and metastasis in a dose-dependent manner. Verapamil reduced cellular invasion and metastases by up to 96% (range 78-96%). Concomitantly, verapamil disrupts microtubule and microfilament organization and inhibits unidirectional cell migration but does not affect cellular adhesion to endothelial monolayers or reconstituted basement membranes. In addition, tumor cells treated with verapamil have a decrease in mRNA of type IV collagenase, a proteinase important in tumor cell degradation of basement membranes. Collectively, these data offer additional evidence regarding the mechanisms of action of verapamil as an anti-metastatic agent.
Exposure of RL95-2 human endometrial adenosquamous carcinoma cells of early passage (less than 30 passages) and late passage (greater than 250 passages) to epidermal growth factor (EGF) resulted in density- and concentration-dependent effects. At low seeding density, EGF (20 nM) inhibited the growth of early passage cells, whereas at high seeding density, 4.98 nM and 20 nM concentrations of EGF stimulated their growth. Furthermore, the growth of late passage cells was stimulated by 0.0166 nM EGF and inhibited by 4.98 nM and 20 nM EGF at both seeding densities. EGF (20 nM) caused marked morphological changes of both passages at the low seeding density. Inhibition of invasion of both passages through Matrigel-coated filters was seen at low seeding density, while at the high seeding density, EGF enhanced invasiveness. At high seeding density, EGF stimulated an increase in urokinase type plasminogen activator activity, which may have augmented the ability of cells to degrade the extracellular matrix. In addition, the ability of high seeding density cells of both passages to adhere to matrigel after EGF treatment correlated with invasiveness.
Treatment of four A375 human melanoma sublines (A375, A375P, A375P-5, A375M), exhibiting distinct metastatic potentials in vivo, with beta-all-trans-retinoic acid in vitro caused a dose- and time-dependent inhibition of the ability of these cells to penetrate Matrigel-coated filters using a reconstituted basement membrane invasion assay. The possible mechanisms of action responsible for the antiinvasive effect were further investigated, and the data showed that compared with untreated cells the retinoic acid-treated cells: (a) secreted lower levels of collagenolytic enzymes, as demonstrated by a decreased ability of the cells to degrade [3H]proline-labeled type IV collagen substrate and by a reduction in the activity of a secreted Mr 64,000 collagenolytic enzyme detected in type IV collagen-containing polyacrylamide gels; (b) expressed lower levels of the human type IV collagenase mRNA (except in the A375P cells), as detected by Northern blot analysis; (c) exhibited decreased levels of tissue plasminogen activator activity, as demonstrated by a chromogenic assay; (d) were 10-40% less adhesive to a reconstituted basement membrane matrix, as determined by a 60-min Na2(51)CrO4-labeled cell attachment assay; (e) exhibited an increase in the high affinity metastasis-associated cell surface laminin receptor, as determined by flow cytometry after binding of fluorescently labeled laminin receptor antibody; and (f) expressed decreased amounts of gp78, a cell surface receptor for motility factor, demonstrated by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Collectively, these data suggest that retinoic acid inhibits tumor cell invasion through a basement membrane-like matrix by suppressing matrix degradation and by altering cell surface receptors.