Differential stimulation of VEGF-C production by adhesion/growth-regulatory galectins and plant lectins in human breast cancer cells.

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

The present study tested the hypothesis that the production of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C), a key lymphangiogenic factor, by human breast cancer cells can be stimulated by human lectins, using plant lectins as controls.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The effects of human galectins and five plant lectins reacting with distinct determinants of N- and O-glycans on the accumulation of VEGF-C in serum-free cell culture media of human breast cancer cells endowed with high (MDA-MB-231) and low (MCF7, T-47D, and SK-BR-3) VEGF-C-producing abilities were examined.

RESULTS:

All tested lectins stimulated VEGF-C production by MDA-MB-231 cells, albeit with different potency. Concanavalin A, but not galectins, was also able to stimulate VEGF-C production by low VEGF-C-producing cell lines MCF7 and T-47D. Both VEGF-C mRNA and protein were strongly up-regulated in SK-BR-3 cells by concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin, but not jacalin.

CONCLUSION:

The differential response of breast cancer cell lines separated by the endogenous level of VEGF-C production suggests that galectins may contribute to tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis in a cell-specific manner.

• Authors: Alexander V Timoshenko, Herbert Kaltner, Sabine André, Hans-Joachim Gabius, Peeyush K Lala
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) Vol. 30 Issue 12 Pg. 4829-33 (Dec 2010) ISSN: 1791-7530 [Electronic] Greece
• PMID: 21187459 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Culture Media, Serum-Free
• Galectins
• Plant Lectins
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C

Topics

• Breast Neoplasms (blood supply, metabolism)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Culture Media, Serum-Free
• Female
• Galectins (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Neovascularization, Pathologic (metabolism)
• Plant Lectins (pharmacology)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C (biosynthesis)