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Published on: September 20, 2016
Increased tumorigenicity of fibronectin receptor deficient Chinese hamster ovary cell variants
C Schreiner1, M Fisher, S Hussein
1Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599.
Abstract:
We have developed a series of variant clonal Chinese hamster ovary cell sublines which are deficient in the expression of the alpha 5/beta 1 integrin fibronectin receptor. When these clonal sublines were injected s.c. into nude mice, there were marked differences in the rate of tumor growth. Tumors from clones expressing very low levels of fibronectin receptor grew most rapidly, clones expressing levels of fibronectin receptor comparable to wild type cells grew at an intermediate rate, while a clone expressing elevated levels of fibronectin receptor grew slowly. Cells recovered from the tumors maintained their original phenotypes in terms of levels of fibronectin receptor expression. These results suggest that there is an inverse correlation between the level of expression of the alpha 5/beta 1 fibronectin receptor and the rate of tumor growth.
Insights
Altered expression of the alpha 5/beta 1 integrin fibronectin receptor in Chinese hamster ovary cells impacts tumor growth rates in mice. Higher receptor levels correlate with slower tumor progression, suggesting a role in cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Integrins are crucial cell surface receptors involved in cell adhesion and signaling.
- The alpha 5/beta 1 integrin, a fibronectin receptor, plays a role in various cellular processes, including cell migration and proliferation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of varying alpha 5/beta 1 integrin fibronectin receptor expression levels on tumor growth.
- To determine if altered fibronectin receptor expression influences the tumorigenic potential of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells.
Main Methods:
- Development of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell sublines with deficient or altered expression of the alpha 5/beta 1 integrin fibronectin receptor.
- Subcutaneous injection of these variant cell sublines into nude mice to assess tumor growth rates.
- Analysis of fibronectin receptor expression levels in recovered tumor cells to confirm phenotype stability.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in tumor growth rates were observed among the variant cell sublines.
- Clones with very low fibronectin receptor expression exhibited the most rapid tumor growth.
- Clones with elevated fibronectin receptor expression showed slower tumor growth compared to wild-type cells.
Conclusions:
- The level of alpha 5/beta 1 fibronectin receptor expression is inversely correlated with tumor growth rate.
- The alpha 5/beta 1 fibronectin receptor may act as a suppressor of rapid tumor progression.
- Stable expression phenotypes suggest the receptor's role is intrinsic to the cells' tumorigenic behavior.
