Characterization of tenascin secreted by human melanoma cells

Cancer Res. 1991 Sep 15;51(18):4853-8.

Abstract

Tenascin is a large glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix. It shows a site-restricted expression during embryogenesis and can be found in adult tissues during wound healing and tumorigenesis. Because of the potential involvement of tenascin in adhesion and invasion during metastasis, the study of the interactions of tumor cells with tenascin is of considerable interest. Using five anti-melanoma monoclonal antibodies to four different epitopes of human tenascin, we found that most melanoma cells secrete tenascin in vitro constitutively. Transforming growth factor beta 1 in the medium increased secretion in tenascin-producing cells. Tenascin was present in sera of melanoma patients, with significantly elevated levels in patients with advanced melanomas as compared to patients with low tumor burden or to normal donors. Normal and malignant melanocytes did not attach to tenascin as substrate within 1 to 2 h and tenascin could also inhibit fibronectin-dependent adhesion. These results indicate that tenascin may play a critical role in cell-substrate interactions of melanoma cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / blood
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / immunology
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / metabolism*
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / blood
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / immunology
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Melanocytes / metabolism
  • Melanoma / blood
  • Melanoma / metabolism*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Tenascin
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / pharmacology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Epitopes
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Tenascin
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta