A Flow Cytometric Assay for Investigating Melanoma Cell Adhesion to Lymphatic Endothelial Cells

Lymph node invasion by tumor cells is an important process in the progression of melanoma and is a poor prognostic factor for patients with this cancer. Before they are able to spread to regional lymph nodes, though, melanoma cells must first adhere to lymphatic endothelium and transmigrate into the lymphatic vasculature. In order to study melanoma cell adhesion to lymphatic endothelial cells and the factors that regulate this process, we have developed an in vitro flow cytometry-based assay to measure melanoma cell attachment to lymphatic endothelial cells. This assay will be a useful tool for investigating the interactions that take place between melanoma cells and lymphatic endothelial cells during the adhesion process.