Use of multicellular tumor spheroids to dissect endothelial cell-tumor cell interactions: a role for T-cadherin in tumor angiogenesis

FEBS Lett. 2007 Sep 18;581(23):4523-8. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2007.08.038. Epub 2007 Aug 28.

Abstract

This study addresses establishment of an "in vitro" melanoma angiogenesis model using multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) of differentiated (HBL) or undifferentiated (NA8) melanoma cell lines. DNA microarray assay and qRT-PCR indicated upregulation of pro-angiogenic factors IL-8, VEGF, Ephrin A1 and ANGPTL4 in NA8-MCTSs (vs. monolayers) whereas these were absent in MCTS and monolayer cultures of HBL. Upon co-culture with endothelial cell line HMEC-1 NA8-MCTS attract, whereas HBL-MCTS repulse, HMEC-1. Overexpression of T-cadherin in HMEC-1 leads to their increased invasion and network formation within NA8-MCTS. Given an appropriate angiogenic tumor microenvironment, T-cadherin upregulation on endothelial cells may potentiate intratumoral angiogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Cadherins / physiology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / genetics
  • Melanoma / metabolism
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / physiopathology*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Spheroids, Cellular / cytology
  • Spheroids, Cellular / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cadherins