Effects of different pedalling techniques on muscle fatigue and mechanical efficiency during prolonged cycling.

The present study aimed to test the influence of the pedalling technique on the occurrence of muscular fatigue and on the energetic demand during prolonged constant-load cycling exercise. Subjects performed two prolonged (45 min) cycling sessions at constant intensity (75% of maximal aerobic power). In a random order, participants cycled either with their preferred technique (PT) during one session or were helped by a visual force-feedback to modify their pedalling pattern during the other one (FB). Index of pedalling effectiveness was significantly (P<0.05) improved during FB (41.4 ± 5.5%); compared with PT (36.6 ± 4.1%). Prolonged cycling induced a significant reduction of maximal power output, which was greater after PT (-15 ± 9%) than after FB (-7 ± 12%). During steady-state FB, vastus lateralis muscle activity was significantly (P<0.05) reduced, whereas biceps femoris muscles activities increased compared with PT. Gross efficiency (GE) did not significantly differ between the two sessions, except during the first 15 min of exercise (FB: 19.0 ± 1.9% vs PT: 20.2 ± 1.9%). Although changes in muscular coordination pattern with feedback did not seem to influence GE, it could be mainly responsible for the reduction of muscle fatigue after prolonged cycling.

Polyphenols purified from the Brazilian aroeira plant (Schinus terebinthifolius, Raddi) induce apoptotic and autophagic cell death of DU145 cells.

Polyphenols extracted from many plants have shown antiproliferative and antitumor activities in a wide range of carcinogenesis models. The antiproliferative effects of polyphenols purified from the Brazilian aroeira plant (Schinus terebinthifolius, Raddi) were investigated on the androgen-insensitive DU145 human prostatic carcinoma cell line. A F3 fraction purified from leaf extract inhibited the DU145 cell proliferation more than 30-fold compared to the crude extract. By flow cytometric analysis, the polyphenol fraction was demonstrated to induce G0/G1 cell growth arrest and cell apoptosis. This apoptosis was evidenced by caspase 3 stimulation in F3-treated cells as compared to crude extract treated cells. The acid phosphatase activity of lysosomes was strongly activated in the lysosomal fraction of the F3-treated DU145 cells. This lysosomal activation, together with the appearance of autophagic vacuoles, suggests that "type 2 physiological cell death" was also involved in this antiproliferative effect. HPLC analysis of this F3 fraction showed 18 different subfractions. Among these subfractions, F3-3, F3-7 and F3-13 strongly inhibited DU145 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. However, the nature of these polyphenols remains unknown since only one (Isoquercitrin) of the tested pure polyphenols co-migrated with F3-13. Since lysosomotropic drugs are considered as possible regulators of lysosome activity, aroeira polyphenols could target lysosomes of prostatic cancer cells to induce autophagic cell death.

Tumor growth inhibition, apoptosis, and Bcl-2 down-regulation of MCF-7ras tumors by sodium phenylacetate and tamoxifen combination.

We demonstrated previously the antitumoral and antiproliferative effects of sodium phenylacetate (NaPA) on malignant breast epithelial MCF-7ras cells and its lack of toxicity. The present in vivo protocols were as follows: (1) a control group; (2) a NaPA-receiving group (450 mg/kg) through s.c. osmotic pumps (ALZA Corp.) for 2 weeks, followed by 2 weeks with no treatment; and (3) a tamoxifen (TAM)-receiving group (20 mg/kg two times per week). The second group was further divided as follows: (a) a group receiving same doses of NaPA; (b) a TAM-receiving group; and (c) a group receiving both NaPA and TAM. Although tumors treated by TAM alone (group 3) showed progressive regrowth after 6 weeks, indicating an escape from antiestrogen inhibition, the TAM-administered group, following 2 weeks of NaPA pretreatment (group 2b), showed significant tumor regression of about 40% after 8 weeks. This effect was amplified to over 60% (P < 0.001) by simultaneous administration of the two drugs (group 2c). The last group displayed about 30% apoptotic-like nuclei, together with lower proliferation index, and less tumor vascularization, as compared to less than 5% terminal deoxytransferase-mediated dUTP-X nick end labeling-positive nuclei, highly vascularized tumors, in the TAM-treated group. Furthermore, in vitro administration of 4-OH-tamoxifen induced a Bcl-2 up-regulation in MCF-7ras cells, which was completely abolished by NaPA pretreatment. The combination of NaPA and OHT induced significant cell differentiation with cell cycle accumulation in the G0-G1 phase.

Sodium phenylacetate induces growth inhibition and Bcl-2 down-regulation and apoptosis in MCF7ras cells in vitro and in nude mice.

Using a highly tumorigenic human breast cancer model (Ha-ras-transfected MCF7 cell line) we analyzed the efficacy of the differentiation-inducing agent sodium phenylacetate (NaPA), both in vitro and in vivo. NaPA-treated MCF7ras cells showed dose-dependent growth inhibition from 2.5 to 15 mM without apparent toxicity. Western blot analysis showed a Bcl-2 down-regulation after 48 h treatment with 5 mM NaPA, together with apparition of apoptotic nuclei by DAPI staining. Mice bearing MCF7ras xenografts (n = 40) were treated for 2 weeks through s.c.-delivering osmotic pumps, followed by 6 weeks of daily i.p. NaPA administration. After 3 weeks, the treated tumors showed growth arrest without regression for the whole observation time, e.g., 12 weeks. Immunohistochemical analysis showed Bcl-2 down-regulation and differentiation patterns: decrease of Ki-67 and increase of steroid receptors (estrogen and progesterone receptors) compared to controls. Cells cultured from treated tumors (II.b) displayed pseudotrabecular disposition as MCF7ras cells treated in vitro. They also showed a higher NaPA sensitivity, together with 70% Bcl-2 down-regulation as compared to the derived cells of untreated tumors (II.a). When reinjected into nude mice, II.b cells induced only one poorly vascularized, noninvasive tumor (8%) with lower proliferation index, 100% progesterone receptor positive cells, and 35% terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-X nick end labeling (+) nuclei, as compared to 100% induction of highly vascularized and invasive tumors with 3% terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-X nick end labeling (+) nuclei induced by II.a cells.

A congenic line of the BALB/c mouse strain with the endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus proviral gene Mtv-3: tissue-specific expression and correlation with resistance to mouse mammary tumor virus infection and tumorigenesis.

Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) expression and MMTV-induced tumorigenesis were studied in a congenic line of the BALB/cHeA strain, termed BALB/c-Mtv-3+, that carries the Mtv-3 proviral gene. BALB/c-Mtv-3+ mice were free of milk-transmitted MMTV and did not spontaneously develop mammary tumors. A specific Mtv-3 expression was observed in the mammary gland and spleen, but not in other lymphoid tissues, such as thymus and bone marrow. This expression was hormone dependent, as shown by the increase of MMTV mRNA during pregnancy. At the protein level, large amounts of p28, but only traces of gp52, the main MMTV core and envelope antigens, respectively, were observed, in agreement with the already described "partial" expression of the Mtv-3 gene products. The presence of the 24S (3.8 kilobases) mRNA encoding the MMTV env antigens in the spleen and the low gp52 reactivity in lactating mammary glands showed that this noncoordinate expression was probably due to a defect in translation or posttranslational processing of env proteins. The susceptibility of BALB/c-Mtv-3+ to experimental MMTV infection was studied. The presence of Mtv-3 conferred to BALB/c mice resistance to MMTV infection, as shown by measuring viral antigens released in the milk of infected mice and by recording the incidence of early mammary tumors. The presence of a nontumorigenic endogenous MMTV gene was therefore protective against exogenous MMTV infection.

Carboxymethyl benzylamide dextran blocks angiogenesis of MDA-MB435 breast carcinoma xenografted in fat pad and its lung metastases in nude mice.

We previously showed that carboxymethyl benzylamide dextran (CMDB7) prevents tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis by binding to angiogenic growth factors, thereby preventing them from reaching their receptors on tumor or stromal cells (Bagheri-Yarmand et al. Br. J. Cancer, 78: 111-118, 1998; Bagheri-Yarmand et al. Cell Growth Differ., 9: 497-504, 1998). In this study, CMDB7 inhibited neovessel formation within the fibroblast growth factor 2-enriched matrigel in mice, and its anticancer effect was then tested in a metastatic breast cancer model. Human MDA-MB435 cells were injected into the mammary fat pad of nude mice, and breast tumors developed within 1 week; all of the mice had lung metastases at 12 weeks. CMDB7 treatment (50, 150, or 300 s.c. or 300 i.v. mg/kg/week for 10 weeks) reduced the incidence of lung metastases to 12%. Histological analysis showed markedly less tumor neovascularization in the CMDB7-treated mice. Pulmonary metastasis incidence was strongly dependent on the intratumoral neoangiogenesis in primary tumors.

Functional Rac-1 and Nck signaling networks are required for FGF-2-induced DNA synthesis in MCF-7 cells.

The effects of Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2) on breast cancer cell DNA synthesis are controversial. To elucidate the mechanisms by which FGF-2 stimulates or inhibits DNA synthesis, we analysed FGF-2 signaling pathways in breast cancer MCF-7 and MCF-7 cells overexpressing Ha-Ras (MCF-7ras). We found that FGF-2-induction of DNA synthesis correlates with Ras transient activation, FRS-2 tyrosine phosphorylation and low level of expression of p66Shc. In addition, Nck-associated proteins are highly tyrosine phosphorylated and JNK reaches a higher level of activation when FGF-2 triggers DNA synthesis. Interestingly upon FGF-2 treatment, JNK activation and DNA synthesis are dependent on Rac-1 activity. These results confirm that in MCF-7 cells, induction of DNA synthesis by FGF-2 requires a transient activation of the Ras/MAPK cascade and demonstrates for the first time that intact Rac-1 and Nck signaling networks are required.

Integrative analysis of gene expression patterns predicts specific modulations of defined cell functions by estrogen and tamoxifen in MCF7 breast cancer cells.

To explore the mechanisms whereby estrogen and antiestrogen (tamoxifen (TAM)) can regulate breast cancer cell growth, we investigated gene expression changes in MCF7 cells treated with 17beta-estradiol (E2) and/or with 4-OH-TAM. The patterns of differential expression were determined by the ValiGen Gene IDentification (VGID) process, a subtractive hybridization approach combined with microarray validation screening. Their possible biologic consequences were evaluated by integrative data analysis. Over 1000 cDNA inserts were isolated and subsequently cloned, sequenced and analyzed against nucleotide and protein databases (NT/NR/EST) with BLAST software. We revealed that E2 induced differential expression of 279 known and 28 unknown sequences, whereas TAM affected the expression of 286 known and 14 unknown sequences. Integrative data analysis singled out a set of 32 differentially expressed genes apparently involved in broad cellular mechanisms. The presence of E2 modulated the expression patterns of 23 genes involved in anchors and junction remodeling; extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation; cell cycle progression, including G1/S check point and S-phase regulation; and synthesis of genotoxic metabolites. In tumor cells, these four mechanisms are associated with the acquisition of a motile and invasive phenotype. TAM partly reversed the E2-induced differential expression patterns and consequently restored most of the biologic functions deregulated by E2, except the mechanisms associated with cell cycle progression. Furthermore, we found that TAM affects the expression of nine additional genes associated with cytoskeletal remodeling, DNA repair, active estrogen receptor formation and growth factor synthesis, and mitogenic pathways. These modulatory effects of E2 and TAM upon the gene expression patterns identified here could explain some of the mechanisms associated with the acquisition of a more aggressive phenotype by breast cancer cells, such as E2-independent growth and TAM resistance.

Carboxymethyl benzylamide dextran and tamoxifen combination inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis.

We showed previously that a carboxymethyl dextran benzylamide (CMDB7) blocks angiogenesis of MDA-MB-435 carcinoma and its lung metastases in nude mice. In this study, we examined the combination effects of CMDB7 and tamoxifen (TAM) on cell proliferation, tumor growth, and angiogenesis on the MCF-7RAS cells. We showed that CMDB7 and TAM acted in a synergistic manner to inhibit the growth of MCF-7RAS cells, blocking them in G(0)/G(1) phase of the cell cycle. For 7 weeks, the CMDB7- (300 mg/kg/week) and TAM- (20 mg/kg/week) treated groups showed tumor growth inhibition of about 66% and 76%, respectively. Combined treatments with CMDB7 and TAM block the tumor development by 94% and induce a complete regression of 4 of 8 mice. Histological analysis showed markedly less neovascularization (88%) in the tumors treated with a combination of CMDB7 and TAM. This antiangiogenic activity was further demonstrated by direct inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation. Overall, this study points to the potential use of a combination of CMDB7 and TAM to inhibit tumor angiogenesis that can prevent tumor progression.

Alternagin-C, a disintegrin-like protein from the venom of Bothrops alternatus, modulates alpha2beta1 integrin-mediated cell adhesion, migration and proliferation.

The alpha2beta1 integrin is a major collagen receptor that plays an essential role in the adhesion of normal and tumor cells to the extracellular matrix. Alternagin-C (ALT-C), a disintegrin-like protein purified from the venom of the Brazilian snake Bothrops alternatus, competitively interacts with the alpha2beta1 integrin, thereby inhibiting collagen binding. When immobilized in plate wells, ALT-C supports the adhesion of fibroblasts as well as of human vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and does not detach cells previously bound to collagen I. ALT-C is a strong inducer of HUVEC proliferation in vitro. Gene expression analysis was done using an Affimetrix HU-95A probe array with probe sets of approximately 10,000 human genes. In human fibroblasts growing on collagen-coated plates, ALT-C up-regulates the expression of several growth factors including vascular endothelial growth factor, as well as some cell cycle control genes. Up-regulation of the vascular endothelial growth factor gene and other growth factors could explain the positive effect on HUVEC proliferation. ALT-C also strongly activates protein kinase B phosphorylation, a signaling event involved in endothelial cell survival and angiogenesis. In human neutrophils, ALT-C has a potent chemotactic effect modulated by the intracellular signaling cascade characteristic of integrin-activated pathways. Thus, ALT-C acts as a survival factor, promoting adhesion, migration and endothelial cell proliferation after binding to alpha2beta1 integrin on the cell surface. The biological activities of ALT-C may be helpful as a therapeutic strategy in tissue regeneration as well as in the design of new therapeutic agents targeting alpha2beta1 integrin.

A novel 9-base pair duplication in RET exon 8 in familial medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC) and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A syndromes are dominantly inherited diseases caused by activating germline mutations of the RET protooncogene. The majority of these patients carry a germline point mutation affecting one of five cysteine residues encoded by exon 10 (codon 609, 611, 618, or 620) or 11 (codon 634). In a few FMTC families, point mutations involving noncysteine codons in exon 13 (codons 768, 790, and 791), 14 (codon 804), or 15 (codon 891) have been reported. Hirschsprung's disease is a nonneoplastic disorder associated with RET mutations leading to a loss of function effect. Mutations are identified in 50% of the familial cases and are scattered along the gene. We now report the study of a FMTC family with four affected members and a history of fatal neonatal intestinal obstruction in the sister of the proband. Genetic analysis demonstrated the absence of an usual FMTC mutation and the presence of a germline 9-bp duplication in RET exon 8 in the heterozygous state in all patients with MTC. This new mutation creates an additional cysteine residue in the extracellular cysteine-rich domain of RET. Further studies are warranted to confirm whether this new mutation is causing MTC only or could be associated with Hirschsprung's disease.

Transcription of integrated MMTV LTR DNA in fibroblast clones is not associated with DNA methylation but with the integration site.

By transfecting 3T3 TK- fibroblasts with a plasmid DNA containing the MMTV LTR promotor and the thymidine kinase gene, we have isolated TK+ clones that contain only one copy of the recombinant DNA. The newly acquired DNA is integrated at different sites in each TK+ clones and can be amplified as a tandem repeat in some cases. The basal level of expression of the newly acquired LTR sequence is variable among the TK+ clones studied. Among those producing detectable amounts of MMTV RNA, we found that transcription is initiated from the LTR promotor and that the synthesis is stimulated by a short dexamethasone treatment. In addition, the presence of tandem repeated LTR DNA does not amplify the MMTV RNA synthesis. Endogenous LTR sequences have been found to be methylated, whereas we show that the newly integrated sequences, both as single copy and tandem repeats, remain unmethylated. Thus, non-methylation of MMTV LTR DNA is necessary but not significant to allow its transcription. Our results suggest that the level of LTR promotor activity could be modulated by the nature of its integration site within the cellular genome.

Transcription of chromatin from mouse fibroblasts.

Chromatin purified from mouse fibroblasts can be fractionated after shearing by sedimentation in a sucrose gradient into an extended "light" and a compact "heavy" component. Further purification of these classically described components can be achieved by a second cycle of centrifugation of the light and heavy components through an equilibrium density gradient of metrizamide. The light component purified from sucrose gradient sediments faster (peak I) on metrizamide than its heavy counterpart (peak II). Template activity for DNA directed RNA synthesis in the presence of E. coli RNA polymerase is negligible in peak II but very pronounced in the peak I fraction. The difference in template activity appears to be connected with differences in propagation rather than initiation rates. Comparison of gel electrophoresis patterns of proteins indicate that the active subcomponent includes high molecular weight components not present in the inactive one, but that its histone content is somewhat lower. Using a very highly sensitive automatic recording apparatus for the measurement of melting profiles, no clear cut difference has been observed in the behaviour of active and inactive chromatin subcomponents nor in that of their total DNA.

Function of individual E. coli 30 S ribosomal proteins as determined by in situ immunospecific neutralization: a tentative classification.

The accessibility of each 30S subunit protein to their cognate antibodies (IgG or Fabs) having been previously well established, the effect of their in situ specific neutralization by monovalent IgG fragments (FabI) are reported for five reactions: 1) T4 and R17 RNA directed protein synthesis: 2) polyphenylalanine synthesis: 3) enzymatic Phe-tRNA binding in the presence of 30S + 50W subunits: 4) fMet-tRNAf binding to the 30S subunit in the presence of initiation factors IF1, IF2, IF3; 5) coupling with lambda plac DNA transcription of the initial translation step (i.e., interaction of IF3 activated 30S subunits with nascent mRNA, in the absence of tRNA). According to evident similarities in their inhibition pattern concerning the five reactions tested, 30S subunit proteins can be classified in five categories which are discussed in terms of functional topography.

Cellular distribution of the angiogenic factor heparin affin regulatory peptide (HARP) mRNA and protein in the human mammary gland.

The heparin affin regulatory peptide (HARP) growth factor, also known as pleiotrophin, is a developmentally regulated protein that displays biological functions during cell growth and differentiation. To study the physiological role of this protein, we investigated the cellular distribution of HARP mRNA and protein in the resting human mammary gland. In situ hybridization histochemistry revealed that HARP mRNA was localized in alveolar myoepithelial cells, whereas alveolar epithelial cells were negative. In the stroma, HARP mRNA was localized in endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells of blood vessels. Interestingly, HARP protein and mRNA were not always co-localized. HARP protein immunocytochemistry staining was observed in an area including both alveolar myoepithelial and epithelial cells, although epithelial cells do not express HARP transcript. In contrast, the distribution of HARP protein is parallel to that of HARP mRNA in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. In the light of these results, the putative role of HARP in controlling the proliferation and/or differentiation of the different mammary cell types is proposed and discussed.

Effects of the binding of a dextran derivative on fibroblast growth factor 2: secondary structure and receptor-binding studies.

CMDB (carboxymethyldextran-benzylamide) are dextrans statistically substituted with carboxymethyl and benzylamide groups which can mimick some of the biological properties of heparin. It has previously been shown that CMDB inhibit autocrine growth of breast tumor cells (Bagheri-Yarmand et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 239: 424-428, 1997) and selectively displace fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) from its receptor. Here, we used circular dichroism and fluorescence anisotropy measurements to show that the conformation of FGF-2 was significantly altered upon its binding to CMDB and to short CMDB fragments prepared within this study. CMDB and fragments formed a stable 1:1 complex with FGF-2, with affinities being estimated as 20+/-10 nM from fluorescence anisotropy analysis. No such a complex was formed with insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) or epidermal growth factor (EGF). CMDB competed with the FGF-2 receptor for binding to FGF-2 but did not disturb the binding of IGF-1 and EGF to their receptors. Thus, our results highlight the selectivity of CMDB and their fragments towards FGF-2. Heparin, however, competes with CMDB and their fragments for binding to FGF-2. The carboxymethyl and benzylamide groups of these molecules likely interact directly with a heparin-binding region of FGF-2. The resulting change in conformation disturbs the binding of FGF-2 to its receptor and consecutively its mitogenic activity.

Receptor binding and biological effects of three 125I-iodinated estrogen derivatives in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7).

Three 125I-iodinated estrogen derivatives; 16 alpha-[125I]iodo-11 beta-methoxy-17 beta-estradiol ([125I]IME2), E-17 alpha-[125I]iodovinylestradiol ([125I]IVE2) and E-17 alpha-[125I]iodovinyl-11 beta-methoxyestradiol ([125I]MIVE2) were synthesized with high specific activities and their binding characteristics and biological effects were analyzed in vitro using the estrogen-receptor-positive human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Direct and competitive bindings in a whole cell assay indicated that the three derivatives bound to the estrogen receptor (ER) with high affinity. The dissociation constants of the three compounds were higher than the one found for tritiated E2 suggesting that the presence of the methoxy and the vinyl groups decreased the binding affinity. The decreasing affinity order is: [3H]E2 > or = [125I]IME2 > [125I]IVE2 > [125I]MIVE2. The three unlabeled derivatives as well as E2 have been found to activate the vitellogenin promoter fused to the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase reporter gene transfected into MCF-7 cells. This assay showed that the ER is activated in the presence of the three compounds. Unlabeled IME2 produced stimulatory effects similar to those of E2 on MCF-7 growth in vitro. Unlabeled IVE2 and MIVE2 at concentrations lower than 10(-8) M enhanced MCF-7 growth but at a lower level than E2 and IME2 did. Our results clearly indicate that the three derivatives behave like estrogens and that they would be excellent candidates for imaging or monitoring ER-containing breast tumors. Because its affinity for the ER is greatest, IME2 would be the best-suited of the three as a radiotracer.

Primary cultures of human benign mastopathies and mammary carcinomas; growth factor requirements.

Primary cultures of non malignant human breast tissues, benign mastopathies and breast carcinoma were performed in defined culture conditions. Epithelial cells from these primary cultures were characterized for mammary epithelial cell specific markers, for in vitro cell proliferation, for steroid receptors and hormone sensitivity (estradiol, progesterone and prolactin) and for EGF sensitivity. We show that although some mastopathies have estradiol and progesterone receptors, they did not respond to hormone treatment. Human prolactin had no effect on the proliferation of one mastopathy but stimulates the cell growth of another fibrocystic mastopathy. EGF was capable of stimulating the three types of primary cultures. As regards growth characteristics, steroid hormone receptors and prolactin sensitivity, phenotypes of mastopathy cells differ from each other; some are similar to non malignant cells, whereas others are comparable to tumor cells.

Modulations of breast fibroblast and carcinoma cell interactions by a dextran derivative (CMDB7).

Modulation of interactions between human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7ras) and fibroblasts from normal breast tissue (MG3) and from a post-radiation fibrosis with recurrent breast carcinoma (FPR7) by a dextran derivative (CMDB7) was investigated. In a coculture system, MCF-7ras proliferation was increased (50%) by fibroblasts, and fibroblasts showed a 84% growth increase with MCF-7ras. This co-stimulation did not depend on fibroblast origin. CMDB7 can inhibit the growth of MCF-7ras but not the growth of fibroblasts. The addition of CMDB7 blocks the MCF-7ras stimulation by fibroblasts but not the fibroblast stimulation by MCF-7ras. Fibroblast-Conditioned Medium stimulated over 2-3 fold MCF-7ras's DNA synthesis but CMDB7 did not influence this paracrine stimulation. IGFI, IGFII stimulated MCF-7ras's DNA synthesis whereas bFGF inhibited it. CMDB7 did not block IGFI and IGFII's stimulatory effects but increased bFGF's inhibitory effects. These results indicate that CMDB7 can inhibit fibroblast-breast cancer cell interactions possibly by interfering with paracrine growth factor loops.

Transendothelial migration of two metastatic breast carcinoma cells depend on the SDF-lalpha-CXCR4 complexes.

The role of the SDF-1alpha chemokine-CXCR4 receptor system on tumor cell transendothelial migration was studied by culturing metastatic breast tumor cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435, either alone or on a HUVEC monolayer pre-established on a "Transwell" filter. After a 24-hour culture in the presence or absence of SDF-1alpha, tumor cell transmigration rates were compared. We showed that: CXCR4 is present on both cell lines; MDA-MB-231 but not MDA-MB-435 cell migration is stimulated by increasing concentrations of SDF-1alpha; neutralizing anti-CXCR4 antibody inhibits the SDF-1alpha chemoattractant effect; CXCR4 expression, measured by cytofluorometry, was enhanced after treatment with SDF-1alpha on MDA-MB-231 cells but remained unchanged on MDA-MB-435 cells; Scatchard analysis evidences 8.10(5) and 2.10(5) high affinity sites (KD range: 20 to 30 nM) on, respectively, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435 cells. These significant differences could explain the distinctive transendothelial migration responses of these two cell lines in the presence of SDF-1alpha.