title: Echistatin inhibits Lewis lung carcinoma cell-matrix adhesion in vitro and experimental metastasis in vivo.
abstract: Echistatin, a low molecular weight, RGD-containing protein isolated from the venom of Echis carinatus, inhibited Lewis lung carcinoma cell (3LL) adhesion to immobilized fibronectin and laminin. The inhibition was specific, noncytotoxic, dose-dependent and fully reversible. Echistatin showed a stronger activity in inhibiting cell adhesion to fibronectin rather than to laminin and it resulted about 3-fold more effective than kistrin, an other ROD-snake venom protein, in inhibiting 3LL cell attachment to both substrates. The ability of echistatin to modulate experimental metastasis formation in vivo was also evaluated. A 20% inhibition of the lung metastasis spread with respect to controls was observed when 3LL cells and echistatin were coinjected i.m. into male C57BL/6NCr1BR mice. When echistatin was administered i.p. 1 mu g/g of body weight/72 h x 4 doses into mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma, it promoted only a 15% inhibition of tumor growth but inhibited by 45% lung metastasis formation. These results demonstrate that echistatin is able to inhibit metastasis attachment and spreading in experimental system in vivo independently by its effect on the primary tumor.
authors.affiliation: UNIV NAPLES,DIPARTIMENTO BIOL & PATOL CELLULARE & MOL,CNR,CTR ENDOCRINOL & ONCOL SPERIMENTALE,I-80131 NAPLES,ITALY. UNIV NAPLES,DIPARTIMENTO BIOCHIM & BIOTECNOL MED,FAC MED & CHIRURG,I-80131 NAPLES,ITALY.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spalleticernia
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Squillacioti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dellamorte
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laccetti
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Staiano