title: Platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) redistributes from the endothelial junction and is not required for the transendothelial migration of melanoma cells.
abstract: We have examined the role of platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1/CD31) during the transendothelial migration of melanoma cells using a novel in vitro system. Comparable studies have suggested the involvement of PECAM-1 in leukocyte transendothelial migration. Such studies have been confirmed using in vivo models of inflammation. These studies prompted us to examine the role of PECAM-1 in tumor cell transendothelial migration. Anti-PECAM-1 monoclonal antibodies, known to block leukocyte transendothelial migration, were tested in co-cultures of human melanoma cells seeded on a monolayer of human lung microvascular endothelial cells. None of these antibodies inhibited the transmigration of melanoma cells. Moreover, confocal microscopy revealed the dissolution of the PECAM-1 adhesion complexes in the endothelial junctions associated with melanoma cells and the lack of PECAM-1 in heterotypic contacts between transmigrating melanoma cells and adjacent endothelial cells. These data, therefore, indicate that PECAM-1 is not required for the transendothelial migration of melanoma cells.
authors.affiliation: Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Voura
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Siu
mesh_terms: D022005:Adherens Junctions / Q000276:immunology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1