The role of hyaluronan in mesothelium-induced motility of ovarian carcinoma cells.
BACKGROUND
Ovarian carcinoma metastases occur when the malignant cells establish new colonies on the peritoneal surface. This study was undertaken to determine whether mesothelial cell hyaluronan affects tumor cell motility.


METHODS
Four ovarian carcinoma cell lines (UCI 101, UCI 107, OC 222 and NIH:OVCAR-3) were allowed to migrate toward cultures of mesothelial cells and different concentrations of hyaluronan. Mesothelial hyaluronan production in the presence of the ovarian carcinoma cells was assayed.


RESULTS
The carcinoma lines showed greater motility toward mesothelial cells than controls, but the increased motility was abolished by hyaluronidase. Co-cultures of mesothelial cells and ovarian carcinoma cell lines produced up to twice as much hyaluronan as mesothelial cells alone. Purified hyaluronan induced dose-dependent and chemotactic motility in all carcinoma lines.


CONCLUSIONS
These results are evidence that mesothelial hyaluronan is a potential paracrine motility factor for ovarian carcinoma. The presence of mesothelial cells on the peritoneal cavity may encourage the establishment of ovarian carcinoma metastases.
Carpenter
Philip M
PM
Department of Pathology, Building 10, Route 40, Room 104, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, 101 The City Dr., Orange, CA 92868, USA. pmcarpen@uci.edu
Dao
Anh V
AV
D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase