Possible role of hyaluronectin on cell adhesion in rat histiocytoma

Distribution of hyaluronectin, a 68-kDa cell surface glycoprotein, has been demonstrated in normal peritoneal, alveolar macrophages as well as in macrophages of the AK-5 tumor cell line. AK-5, a transplantable histiocytic tumor cell line, is a mixture of four different populations and can be grown in both ascites and solid tumors. We are able to demonstrate a differential expression of hyaluronectin on the cell surface of these subpopulations of AK-5 when studied by immunocytochemical staining followed by cytofluorometric analysis. Cell fractions responsible for developing both ascites and solid tumors contain higher amounts of hyaluronectin than fractions which are capable of producing only ascites, suggesting its involvement in solid tumor formation. Furthermore, we established a secretory nature of hyaluronectin as it can be detected in the serum-free medium of AK-5 cells. Since it is localized on the cell surface and secreted into the medium, the cell adhesiveness of hyaluronectin has been examined. Hyaluronectin coating on the plates allowed more cells to attach, which could be specifically blocked by the antibody raised against hyaluronectin, indicating its possible role in cell attachment. The adhesive property of hyaluronectin and its role in tumor formation was further confirmed. The pretreatment of AK-5 cells with hyaluronectin antibody abolished their capacity to grow as solid tumors; however, the cells retained their capacity to grow as ascites tumor. We discuss our observations of hyaluronectin as a cell attachment protein and its specific role on tumor formation.