Related Experiment Videos
Relationship between intercellular communication and radiosensitivity of human tumor xenografts
Abstract:
Micro-electrode techniques permit the detection of electrical coupling between adjacent cells if they are connected by intercellular junctions (gap junctions). This technique was applied to four human tumors xenografted onto nude mice. In three of the tumors, which showed a 'contact resistance' after irradiation in vivo, electrical coupling could be established. No coupling was found in the other tumor, which did not exhibit contact resistance. These results are similar to those obtained recently with cultured spheroids of mammalian cell lines in which only the electrically coupled cell types developed contact resistance to ionizing radiation.
Insights
Electrical coupling via gap junctions was detected in human tumors using micro-electrode techniques. This electrical communication correlated with radiation-induced contact resistance in three of four xenografted tumors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Electrical coupling, mediated by gap junctions, facilitates intercellular communication.
- Micro-electrode techniques are used to detect this electrical coupling.
- Tumor cell sensitivity to radiation can be influenced by intercellular communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate electrical coupling in human tumors xenografted onto nude mice.
- To determine if electrical coupling correlates with radiation-induced contact resistance in vivo.
- To compare findings with previous studies on cultured cell spheroids.
Main Methods:
- Application of micro-electrode techniques to four human tumor xenografts.
- Assessment of 'contact resistance' following in vivo irradiation.
- Evaluation of electrical coupling between adjacent tumor cells.
Main Results:
- Electrical coupling was established in three out of four human tumors.
- These three tumors exhibited 'contact resistance' after in vivo irradiation.
- The tumor lacking electrical coupling did not show contact resistance post-irradiation.
Conclusions:
- Electrical coupling in human tumors correlates with acquired resistance to ionizing radiation.
- Gap junction-mediated communication may play a role in tumor radioresistance.
- Findings support previous observations in cultured mammalian cell spheroids.