Laminin mediates tethering and spreading of colon cancer cells in physiological shear flow
1999
Laminin and Colon Cancer Cell Behavior in Blood Flow
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Kitayama J, Nagawa H, Tsuno N, Osada T, Hatano K, Sunami E, Saito H, Muto T
Primary Institution: The University of Tokyo
Hypothesis
Laminin mediates the tethering and spreading of colon cancer cells in physiological shear flow.
Conclusion
Laminin plays a crucial role in the tethering and spreading of colon cancer cells under blood flow conditions, which may contribute to metastasis.
Supporting Evidence
- Colon cancer cells bound to laminin but not to fibronectin or vitronectin under shear flow.
- Most tethered cells arrested and spread on laminin within 10–30 minutes.
- Tethering was partially inhibited by antibodies to specific integrins.
- Laminin was found abundantly in the cytosol of human portal and hepatic vein endothelial cells.
Takeaway
Laminin helps colon cancer cells stick and spread in the blood, which might help them spread to other parts of the body.
Methodology
The study involved observing the behavior of cultured colon cancer cells under shear flow conditions and testing the effects of various monoclonal antibodies on cell tethering and spreading.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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