title: An immobilized antibody targeting N-cadherin facilitates spread of N-cadherin-positive tumour cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We investigated whether an antibody targeting N-cadherin facilitates the adhesion and spreading of N-cadherin-positive tumour cells under static conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two human melanoma cell lines, HMB-2 and BLM, were selected for their presence and lack of expression of N-cadherin, respectively. In vitro adhesion experiments were performed in the presence of a monoclonal antibody targeting N-cadherin (GC-4) or a control (antibody to α-tubulin). Quantitative data from the spreading assays were calculated by converting the images obtained by fluorescence microscopy to binary images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For HMB-2 cells, the average cell width was significantly larger in the presence of GC-4 vs. control at all measured time points, with the exception of the measurement at 70 minutes (p=0.051). No differences were observed between controls and GC-4 for BLM cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The adhesion and spread of N-cadherin-positive tumour cells can be facilitated by the presence of an immobilized antibody to N-cadherin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology and Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000, Gent, Belgium. pie
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bracke
authors.forename: Piet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ost
mesh_terms: D055910:Antibodies, Immobilized / Q000276:immunology*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015820:Cadherins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness
chemical_list: D055910:Antibodies, Immobilized; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015820:Cadherins