Purification and characterization of tumor invasion-inhibiting factors

HMGNs, DNA repair and cancer

DNA lesions threaten the integrity of the genome and are a major factor in cancer formation and progression. Eukaryotic DNA is organized in nucleosome-based higher order structures, which form the chromatin fiber. In recent years, considerable knowledge has been gained on the importance of chromatin dynamics for the cellular response to DNA damage and for the ability to repair DNA lesions. High Mobility Group N1 (HMGN1) protein is an emerging factor that is important for chromatin alterations in response to DNA damage originated from both ultra violet light (UV) and ionizing irradiation (IR). HMGN1 is a member in the HMGN family of chromatin architectural proteins. HMGNs bind directly to nucleosomes and modulate the structure of the chromatin fiber in a highly dynamic manner. This review focuses mainly on the roles of HMGN1 in the cellular response pathways to different types of DNA lesions and in transcriptional regulation of cancer-related genes. In addition, emerging roles for HMGN5 in cancer progression and for HMGN2 as a potential tool in cancer therapy will be discussed.

Enhanced paracellular barrier function of rat mesothelial cells partially protects against cancer cell penetration

To study pathophysiological roles of mesothelial barrier functions in protection against cancer cell invasion, we isolated mesothelial cells from the rat abdominal cavity and then cultured them with 10(-6)M all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) for 10 days. Mesothelial barrier function assessed by measuring transcellular electrical resistance (TER) and the expression of 7H6 tight junction-associated antigen at the cell border were induced by the treatment (10.01 +/- 0.8 vs 6.05 +/- 0.7 omega cm2, without RA; mean +/- s.e.m., n = 10). Then we quantified the attachment and penetration of rat mammary cancer cells (SST-2 cells) into the mesothelial cell monolayer by prelabelling of the cancer cells with fluorescent dye and by observing optical sections at different heights using a laser confocal scanning microscope. When SST-2 cells were overlaid onto the mesothelial cell monolayer treated with RA, the number of cancer cells found at the basal level of the monolayer was significantly reduced. These results showed that enhanced mesothelial barrier function at least partially prevents the penetration of cancer cells into mesothelial cells and suggested that 7H6 antigen serves as a reliable immunocytochemical marker for monitoring mesothelial barrier function.

Current and future strategies to block tumor angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis

Progression of malignancy involves a series of sequential steps that ultimately lead to cancer-cell dissemination. In addition to the loss of growth control, an imbalanced regulation of motility and proteolysis is a prerequisite for invasion and metastasis. These factors are also necessary for angiogenesis-an integral process occurring at both the primary and the metastatic sites. Investigators have elucidated in detail many of the molecular mechanisms involved in the sequential steps of the metastatic cascade and have thereby provided new targets for therapeutic intervention. For each step, different model systems have been developed and various strategies for antimetastatic therapy have been tested in vitro as well as in murine systems. Difficulties in translating results obtained in preclinical models into the clinical setting have become apparent and have not been unexpected in light of the sometimes highly artificial interaction in the experimental setting. Nevertheless, continued development of model systems and further research into the genetic control of malignancy should lead to the identification of common signal-transduction pathways. Interference at such sites promises to be particularly effective in inhibiting proliferation and metastasis.

Inhibition of motility and invasion of human lung cancer cells by invasion inhibiting factor 2

The motility and invasion of cancer cells are basic requirements for the establishment of distant metastases. In this study, we examined the effect of invasion inhibiting factor 2 (IIF2), a motility/invasion regulatory agent, on the motility, invasion, growth and basement membrane attachment of human lung cancer cells. IIF2 significantly reduced cell dissociation, colony scattering and invasion induced by the motogenic factor, HGF/SF. Western and Northern analyses showed these cells to be positive for the HGF/SF receptor c-met. These effects were blocked by an anti-IIF2 antibody. IIF2 did not affect the growth and attachment of lung cancer cells to the basement membrane. It is concluded therefore that invasion inhibiting factor 2 is an inhibitor of human lung cancer cell motility and invasion in vitro and this may bear some importance in the construction of anti-metastatic therapies.

Invasion-inhibiting factor 2-albumin conjugate inhibits invasion and spontaneous metastasis of MKL-4 human breast cancer cells transplanted into female nude mice

Invasion-inhibiting factor 2 (IIF-2) and its albumin conjugate have been reported to inhibit spontaneous metastasis of highly metastatic cancer cells with no effect on primary tumor growth. To confirm the inhibitory effects of the IIF-2 conjugate on tumor invasion and spontaneous metastasis, we administered the conjugate intra-peritoneally (i.p.) to female nude mice bearing transplanted tumors with MKL-4 cells, which are MCF-7 human breast cancer cells cotransfected with fibroblast growth factor 4 and lacZ. Neither 10 nor 20 mg/kg doses of the conjugate caused any inhibition of primary tumor growth, but 20 mg/kg significantly inhibited tumor invasion and spontaneous metastasis. Tumor invasion was measured by a novel computer-assisted image analysis. Spontaneous microscopic metastases into lymph nodes and distant organs were measured by whole organ staining for beta-galactosidase activity and observed with a dissecting microscope. The dose of 10 mg/kg significantly inhibited tumor invasion but not metastasis. Interestingly, the number of factor VIII-positive microvessels in the tumors was not reduced by treatment at either dose level. These findings suggest that the anti-invasive effect of the IIF-2 conjugate may reduce both lymphatic and hematogenous metastases in this MKL-4 metastasis model without affecting angiogenesis.

Stimulation and regulation of tumor cell motility in invasion and metastasis

In this review, the role of extracellular factors in the stimulation and regulation of tumor cell motility are discussed. Tumor cells respond in a motile fashion to a variety of external ligands including autocrine motility factors, growth factors, and components of the extracellular matrix. Since tumor cell motility is a necessary component of tumor invasion and metastasis, we speculate that these protein factors could play important regulatory roles in tumor motility at different stages of the metastatic cascade.

Molecular and cellular basis of cancer invasion and metastasis: implications for treatment

In the past decade significant advances in establishing the underlying biological mechanisms of tumour invasion and metastasis have been made. Some of the triggering factors and genes relevant to metastatic spread have been identified. Advances have also been made in understanding the signal transduction pathways involved in invasion and metastasis. This increased comprehension of the malignant metastatic process has enabled new antimetastatic strategies to be devised. This review summarizes progress in these areas and discusses the implications for the treatment of metastasis.

Serum requirement for in vitro invasion by tumor cells

The effect of fetal calf serum (FCS) on in vitro invasion by rat ascites hepatoma cells (AH130) was studied by using the in vitro invasion assay. Although the coculture of the highly invasive clone (MM1) of AH130 cells and the mesothelial cell layer or endothelial cell layer in modified minimum essential medium supplemented with 10% FCS resulted in extensive penetration of the layer by the tumor cells, the omission of FCS resulted in an almost complete elimination of the in vitro invasion. The in vitro invasiveness by human small cell lung cancer cells (OC10) was also remarkably reduced by the omission of FCS from the assay medium, suggesting a requirement of serum for the in vitro tumor cell invasion. When 10% FCS was added to the medium 2 h after the tumor cell seeding in FCS-free invasion assay system, penetration by MM1 cells was observed within an hour. This rate of penetration was almost the same as that when 10% FCS was added at the time of tumor cell seeding. FCS was also required for the penetration of a mesothelial cell monolayer by MM1 cells in a defined growth medium (SFM-101), in which MM1 cells were well maintained. The invasion-inducing activity appears to be independent of the growth-stimulating activity in serum.