The beta-core fragment of human chorionic gonadotrophin inhibits growth of Kaposi's sarcoma-derived cells and a new immortalized Kaposi's sarcoma cell line.
OBJECTIVE
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a condition often associated with HIV infection, is more common in men than in women; pregnancy and sex hormones could be involved. Urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) has been reported to inhibit the growth of KS cell lines, with great variability among preparations. Urinary hCG often contains free forms of the hCG subunits and a fragment of the free beta-subunit, the beta-core, which may have biological activity. We compared the effect of the beta-core fragment, the beta-subunit, recombinant and urinary hCG on KS immortal and spindle cells.


METHODS
A new immortal KS cell line was phenotypically and karyotypically characterized. The effects on growth of this cell line and of primary KS spindle cells by hCG and its purified derivatives were tested. Induction of apoptosis was demonstrated using acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining.


RESULTS
The beta-core fragment harboured the most potent growth inhibitory activity on a molar basis. After 72 h of treatment with the beta-core, 60-70% of KS cells show apoptotic nuclei. No effects were observed on endothelial cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The beta-core fragment of hCG proved to be the most effective part of the hCG molecule, inducing growth inhibition and apoptosis of KS cells. Thus, the beta-core could be the most appropriate hCG derivative for the therapy of KS.
Albini
A
A
Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy.
Paglieri
I
I
Orengo
G
G
Carlone
S
S
Aluigi
M G
MG
DeMarchi
R
R
Matteucci
C
C
Mantovani
A
A
Carozzi
F
F
Donini
S
S
Benelli
R
R
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D007621:Karyotyping; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C063554:urinary gonadotropin fragment