Differential cell adhesion and expression of N-cadherin among retinoblastoma cell lines

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common intraocular childhood cancer, but little is known regarding its cellular biology and the factors that might regulate its progression and metastatic potential. Although alterations in cell-adhesion interactions could contribute to the metastatic behavior of RB, no specific cell-adhesion molecules have been identified in RB cells. The current study examined the adhesive properties of three RB cell lines (Weri-Rb1, Weri-Rb27, and Y79) and determined whether N-cadherin, a specific cell-adhesion protein expressed during normal retinal development, was expressed by these cell lines. This study revealed marked differences in the cell-adhesive properties of the three cell lines with respect to several parameters assayed, including cell morphology, calcium dependence of the cell adhesion, and the presence of N-cadherin. N-cadherin was expressed by human RB cells, but the level of expression, determined both functionally and biochemically, varied among different RB cell lines.