title: Possible role of human natural anti-Gal antibodies in the natural antitumor defense system.
abstract: Expression of Gal alpha 1-3Gal cell surface residues has been correlated with the metastatic potential of murine tumor cells. We report that Gal alpha 1-3Gal residues are expressed at the cell surface of malignant human cancer cells, including four cell lines and 50% of the malignant breast specimens obtained by aspiration biopsy. In contrast, all benign breast biopsies and normal cells were Gal alpha 1-3Gal negative. Affinity-purified anti-alpha-galactosyl IgG (anti-Gal) antibody, which specifically recognizes Gal alpha 1-3Gal residues, significantly inhibited cell attachment in two in vitro assays thought to indicate tumor cell extravasation of the circulatory system during the metastatic process: attachment to perfused human umbilical vein endothelium, and attachment to isolated laminin. Since anti-Gal antibody is a natural component of all human sera, we propose that it may be part of the natural antitumor defense system in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics, University of Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Castronovo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Colin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Parent
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Foidart
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lambotte
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mahieu
mesh_terms: D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000276:immunology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005697:Galactosides / Q000276:immunology*; D006027:Glycosides / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D005697:Galactosides; D006027:Glycosides