Nutritional shortage augments cisplatin-effects on murine melanoma cells.

Melanoma incidence increases every year worldwide and is responsible for 80% of skin cancer deaths. Due to its metastatic potential and resistance to almost any treatments such as chemo, radio, immune and targeted-therapy, the patients still have a poor prognosis, especially at metastatic stage. Considering that, it is crucial to find new therapeutic approaches to overcome melanoma resistance. Here we investigated the effect of cisplatin (CDDP), one of the chemotherapeutic agents used for melanoma treatment, in association with nutritional deprivation in murine melanoma cell lines. Cell death and autophagy were evaluated after the treatment with cisplatin, nutritional deprivation and its association using an in vitro model of murine melanocytes malignant transformation to metastatic melanoma. Our results showed that nutritional deprivation augmented cell death induced by cisplatin in melanoma cells, especially at the metastatic subtype, with slight effects on melanocytes. Mechanistic studies revealed that although autophagy was present at high levels in basal conditions in melanoma cells, was not essential for cell death process that involved mitochondrial damage, reactive oxygen species production and possible glycolysis inhibition. In conclusion, nutritional shortage in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs as cisplatin can be a valuable new therapeutic strategy to overcome melanoma resistance.

Laminin-binding proteins in EJ-ras-transformed fibroblasts.

Malignant transformation is accompanied by changes in cell-matrix interactions. Upon transfection with EJ-ras oncogene, transformed fibroblasts acquired a migratory phenotype towards laminin-1. The increase in integrin expression was responsible for the migratory activity of transformed fibroblasts. In addtion alpha 6 beta 1 integrins, both galectin-3 and an unidentified laminin-binding polypeptide had their expression pattern altered upon transformation. Here, we review these two classes of laminin-binding proteins and their possible roles in cell-laminin interactions.

Laminin-binding proteins in EJ-ras-transformed fibroblasts

Malignant transformation is accompanied by changes in cell-matrix interations. Upon transfection with EJ-ras oncogene, transformed fibroblasts, acquired a migratory phenotype towards laminin-1. The increase in integrin expression was responsible for the migratory activity of transformed fibroblasts. In addition alpha(6)beta(1) integrins, both galectin-3 and an unidentified laminin-binding polypeptide had their expression pattern altered upon transformation. Here, we review these two classes of laminin-binding proteins and their possible roles in cell-laminin interactions.

alpha6beta1-Integrin, a major cell surface carrier of beta1-6-branched oligosaccharides, mediates migration of EJ-ras-transformed fibroblasts on laminin-1 independently of its glycosylation state.

EJ-ras oncogene-induced malignant transformation is characterized by a series of changes in cell surface carbohydrates and cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Here, we show that EJ-ras-transformed NIH-3T3 fibroblasts acquired a migratory phenotype on laminin-1 surfaces. Such a phenotype was accompanied by overexpression of: (a) functional alpha6beta1, but not other laminin binding beta1-integrins; and (b) glycoconjugates on the cell surface bearing large oligosaccharides recognized by leukoagglutinin from Phaseolus vulgaris (L-PHA). The internal pool of pre-beta1-integrins was differently regulated in EJ-ras-transformed cells compared with nontransfected fibroblasts. Conversion of pre-beta1- into mature beta1-integrins was faster in EJ-ras-transformed cells, a process associated with the overexpression of the alpha6-chain. Overexpression of L-PHA-reactive oligosaccharides is dependent on the activity of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V, which is increased in transformed cells [J. W. Dennis et al., Science (Washington DC), 236: 582-585, 1987]. We show that beta1-integrins were the major carriers of L-PHA-reactive oligosaccharides on the cell surface. This glycosylation pattern, however, was not necessary for either the cell surface expression of beta1-integrins or their functional activity in the migratory response to laminin-1. Moreover, EJ-ras-transformed fibroblasts aggregated spontaneously. These effects were not observed in c-jun-transfected fibroblasts, which were unable to migrate on laminin, did not overexpress either beta1-integrins or L-PHA-reactive oligosaccharides, and did not self-aggregate.

Carbohydrate-binding proteins in cell-matrix interactions.

1. Carbohydrate-dependent interactions have been more extensively studied during the last decade. Although the roles of carbohydrates in cellular functions are still poorly understood, the finding of carbohydrate-binding proteins in animal cells opened a great number of perspectives. 2. Animal lectins are associated with tumor progression, playing a key role in neoplastic cell interactions with endothelial cells and extracellular matrix glycoproteins such as laminin. 3. Here, we review the role of animal lectins in the migrating phenotype of neoplastic cells and normal cells such as T-lymphocytes.

Carbohydrate-binding proteins in cell-matrix interactions

1. Carbohydrate-dependent interactions have been more extensively studied during the last decade. Althought the roles of carbohydrates in cellular functions are still poorly understood, the finding of carbohydrate-binding proteins in animal cells opened a great number of perspectives. 2. Animal lectins are associated with tumor progression, playing a key role in neoplastic cell interactions with endothelial cells and extracellular matrix glycoproteins such as laminin. 3. Here, we review the role of animal lectins in the migrating phenotype of neoplastic cells and normal cells such as T-lymphocytes

Functional hypotheses for aberrant glycosylation in tumor cells.

Aberrant glycosylation is a common feature of neoplastic cells. Although described for many years, the role of aberrant patterns of glycosylation is not fully understood. Our group has been focusing on the role of glycosylation in cell:matrix interactions, such as adhesion, spreading and migration on defined substrata (e.g., laminin and fibronectin). Animal lectins, such as galaptins, also seem to be involved in these processes.

Stage-specific glycosphingolipids from amastigote forms of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis. Immunogenicity and role in parasite binding and invasion of macrophages.

Neutral glycosphingolipids (GSLs) from amastigote forms of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis were isolated, and their structures and biological properties were characterized. Based on various immunochemical methods, these GSLs were shown to be expressed at certain stages of amastigote development. GSLs were extracted and purified from amastigotes of hamster foot lesions by established procedures. Three mouse monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) specific for carbohydrate epitopes of these GSLs were established, and their inhibition of parasite binding and macrophage invasion was analyzed. MoAb ST-3 inhibited 80% of macrophage invasion by amastigotes and 60% of that by promastigotes. Since GSLs reacting with MoAb ST-3 were found in amastigotes but not in promastigotes, ST-3 reactivity with promastigotes presumably depends on an epitope present on an unidentified promastigote glycoconjugate. MoAbs ST-4 and ST-5 inhibited 60-80% of macrophage invasion by amastigotes but were not effective in preventing macrophage invasion by promastigotes. Fab fragments of ST-3 inhibited invasion of cultured mouse macrophages by amastigotes (80%) or promastigotes (60%). The GSL with the simplest structure recognized by these MoAbs was isolated and characterized (by negative ion fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the permethylated compound, degradation with exoglycosidases, and 1H NMR) as the novel globoseries structure Gal beta 1-->3Gal alpha 1-->4Gal beta 1-->4Glc beta 1-->Cer, which has beta 1-->3Gal in place of the beta 1-->3GalNAc of globoside. The ceramide contains a 16:0 fatty acid and d18:1 sphingosine as the long chain base. The MoAbs also reacted with a series of GSLs from amastigote forms of L. amazonensis, with longer carbohydrate chains, probably containing identical end groups Gal beta 1-->3Gal alpha 1-->R. Expression of surface GSLs may render amastigote forms more effective than promastigotes in binding and invading host macrophages, thus enhancing the infectious process.

Inhibition of mouse lymphocyte proliferative response by glycosphingolipids from Leishmania (L.) amazonensis.

The effect of a purified preparation of glycosphingolipids (GSLs) extracted from Leishmania (L.) amazonensis amastigotes on murine lymphocytes was investigated. GSLs inhibited both concanavalin A (Con A)- or lipopolysaccharide-induced [3H]thymidine uptake by normal and immunized BALB/c mouse lymph node cells. The effect of total GSLs was dose dependent. Total GSLs also suppressed the two-way mixed lymphocyte reaction of BALB/c x C57BL/6 cells and the antigen-specific response of immunized mouse cells. Six pure bands as well as a pool containing a mixture of GSLs with five to seven sugar residues separated by a combination of HPLC and preparative HPTLC were tested and shown to be inhibitors of Con A stimulation. These results suggest that parasite glycosphingolipids may play an immunologically relevant role in leishmaniasis.