Mucin inhibition of lymphocyte function does not require specific mucin-ligand interactions.
Mucins are large highly glycosylated molecules that have been postulated to interfere with certain cell-cell interactions. Steric, charge and specific signalling effects have been postulated for the inhibition by cell-surface mucin molecules. In this report we evaluate the inhibitory effects of bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM), a mucin without specific lymphocyte interactions, on lymphocyte function. BSM inhibits the adhesion of lymphocytes when coimmobilized with intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and blocks the activation of T lymphocytes when coimmobilized with anti-CD3. These data demonstrate a general mucin effect on lymphocyte adhesion and activation that is primarily steric in nature and implicates mucins as general barriers to lymphocyte-tumour cell interactions. Mucin blockade of cell-cell interactions may explain why mucinous tumours are often associated with a poor prognosis.
O'Boyle
K P
KP
Division of Monoclonal Ab, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Chen
T
T
Kozlowski
S
S
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000502:physiology; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000502:physiology; D008024:Ligands; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000502:physiology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009077:Mucins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D017252:CD3 Complex; D008024:Ligands; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D009077:Mucins; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1