title: The affinity of MCF7 breast cancer cells to hyaluronan substrates of different molecular weight and concentrations in an in vitro model.
abstract: The affinity of MCF7 breast cancer cells to hyaluronan (HA) was investigated in an in vitro model. The cells form a tightly adhering monolayer on native HA with a concentration of 5 mg/ml. On native HA at higher concentrations the cells reduce their adhesion to the substrate in favor of increased intercellular bonds, resulting in a cluster-like aggregate that tends to detach from the substrate. Aggregate formation is accomplished after 12 h incubation. The phenomenon is independent of the CD44 receptor. Degradation of native HA by hyaluronidase abolishes aggregate formation even at high HA concentrations in favor of formation of a firmly adhering monolayer. This model may help to understand tumor spread on HA tissue structures and may explain therapy successes with hyaluronidase in tumor patients.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathophysiology, Karl Franzens Universitat Graz, A-8010 Graz, Austria. egger@leukotec.com
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Egger
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pfragner
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Siegl
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zatloukal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Glasner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bader
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Steindorfer
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002449:Cell Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000494:pharmacology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase