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Blocking adhesion of cancer cells to endothelial cell types by S. agalactiae type-specific polysaccharides
K Miyake1, S Yamamoto, S Iijima
1Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering, Nagoya University Furo-cho, Japan.
Abstract:
By using immortalized and normal endothelial cells, we were able to detect inhibitory effects of type specific polysaccharides from Streptococcus agalactiae on adhesion of cancer cells to endothelial cells, which is an essential step of cancer metastatis. The inhibition was probably due to specific structures of the bacterial polysaccharides, since the structures of the saccharides are very similar to those of cancer specific sialyl Lewis carbohydrates (sialyl Le(a) and Le(x)) which bind to ELAM-1 of endothelial cells. This result indicated that the bacterial polysaccharides from S. agalactiae could be very useful and hopeful as cancer metastasis inhibitors.
Insights
Type-specific polysaccharides from Streptococcus agalactiae inhibit cancer cell adhesion to endothelial cells. This suggests bacterial polysaccharides may serve as novel cancer metastasis inhibitors.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and Cancer Research
- Immunology and Cell Biology
Background:
- Cancer metastasis involves cancer cells adhering to endothelial cells.
- Bacterial polysaccharides can possess structures similar to host molecules.
- Endothelial cell adhesion molecules like ELAM-1 play a role in metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of Streptococcus agalactiae polysaccharides on cancer cell adhesion to endothelial cells.
- To explore the potential of bacterial polysaccharides as inhibitors of cancer metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized immortalized and normal endothelial cells.
- Assessed the inhibitory effects of type-specific polysaccharides from Streptococcus agalactiae on cancer cell adhesion.
- Compared the structures of bacterial polysaccharides with cancer-specific sialyl Lewis carbohydrates.
Main Results:
- Streptococcus agalactiae polysaccharides demonstrated inhibitory effects on cancer cell adhesion to endothelial cells.
- The observed inhibition is likely due to structural similarities between bacterial polysaccharides and cancer-associated sialyl Lewis antigens (sialyl Le(a) and Le(x)).
- These bacterial polysaccharides bind to ELAM-1 on endothelial cells, mimicking cancer cell interactions.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial polysaccharides from Streptococcus agalactiae show promise as inhibitors of cancer metastasis.
- The structural mimicry of cancer-specific carbohydrates by bacterial polysaccharides is a key mechanism for this inhibitory effect.
- Further research into these bacterial polysaccharides could lead to novel therapeutic strategies against cancer metastasis.