Organ heterogeneity of host-derived matrix metalloproteinase expression and its involvement in multiple-organ metastasis by lung cancer cell lines

Cancer metastasis is tightly regulated by the interaction of tumor cells and host organ microenvironments. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), produced by both tumor cells and host stromal cells, play a central role in tumor invasion and angiogenesis. We determined whether metastatic potential of lung cancer to multiple organs is dependent solely on the expression of MMPs by tumor cells, using two metastasis models of human lung cancer cell lines expressing various levels of MMPs and a MMP inhibitor (ONO-4817). In the lung metastasis model, tumor cells (PC14, PC14PE6, H226, A549) inoculated i.v. into nude or SCID mice metastasized only in the lung. In the multiple-organ metastasis model, tumor cells (RERF-LC-AI, SBC-3/DOX, H69/VP, which express low levels of MMPs) inoculated i.v. into natural killer cell-depleted SCID mice metastasized into the liver, kidneys, and systemic lymph nodes. Film in situ zymography analysis revealed that the nontumor parenchyma of the lung had no gelatinolytic activity, whereas gelatinolytic activity of the liver and kidney was high and low, respectively. In the lung metastasis model, gelatinolytic activity of lung nodules directly correlated with the in vitro expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by tumor cells. Inhibition of MMP activity by ONO-4817 suppressed lung metastasis by the cell lines that expressed MMPs, but not those that did not express MMP, via the inhibition of MMP activity of lung tumors. In the multiple-organ metastasis model, liver parenchyma, but not liver nodules, showed gelatinolytic activity. The MMP inhibition reduced metastasis to the liver, but not to the kidney or lymph nodes, via inhibition of MMP activity of liver parenchyma. These findings suggest that MMP expression varies among the host organ microenvironments and that stromal MMPs may promote metastasis of lung cancer. Therefore, antimetastatic effects based on MMP inhibition may be dependent on MMPs derived not only from tumor cells but also from organ-specific microenvironments.     

Bone metastasis model with multiorgan dissemination of human small-cell lung cancer (SBC-5) cells in natural killer cell-depleted SCID mice.

Lung cancer is commonly associated with multiorgan metastasis, and bone is a frequent metastatic site for lung cancer. Nevertheless, no bone metastasis model of lung cancer with multiorgan dissemination is available, which could provide opportunity to study the molecular pathogenesis. We examined the abilities of eight human lung cancer cell lines injected intravenously into natural killer (NK) cell-depleted SCID mice to generate metastatic nodules in bone and multiple organs, and explored the correlation of the parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) with the bone metastasis. Although all the small-cell carcinoma cell lines (SBC-5, SBC-3, SBC-3/ADM, H69, H69/VP) formed metastatic nodules in multiple organs (liver, kidney, and lymph nodes), only SBC-5 cells reproducibly developed bone metastases. Squamous cell carcinoma (RERF-LC-AI) cells metastasized mainly into the liver and kidneys, whereas adenocarcinoma (PC-14, A549) mainly produced colonies in the lungs. As assessed by X-ray photography, the osteolytic bone metastases produced by SBC-5 cells were detected as early as on day 28, and all recipient mice developed bone metastasis by day 35. The expression of PTHrP in eight cell lines was directly correlated with the formation of bone metastasis. No correlation was observed between the formation of bone metastasis and the expression of other metastasis-related cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-11, TNF-alpha, VEGF, M-CSF). Consistent with the formation of bone metastasis by SBC-5 cells, the levels of PTHrP and calcium in the mouse serum were increased in a time-dependent manner, suggesting that PTHrP produced by human lung cancer may play a crucial role in the formation of bone metastasis and hypercalcemia. These findings indicate that a bone metastasis model of SBC-5 cells may be useful for clarifying the molecular aspects of the metastatic processes in different organ microenvironments and the development of therapeutic modalities for lung cancer patients with bone metastases.     

Therapeutic efficacy of mouse-human chimeric anti-ganglioside GM2 monoclonal antibody against multiple organ micrometastases of human lung cancer in NK cell-depleted SCID mice

The development of distant metastases to multiple organs is a critical problem in the treatment of human lung cancer. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of a mouse-human chimeric anti-ganglioside GM2 (GM2) monoclonal antibody (MAb), KM966 against metastasis formation of GM2-positive human lung cancer cells inoculated intravenously (i.v.) into natural killer (NK) cell-depleted severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. GM2-positive human small cell lung cancer (SCLC), SBC-3 cells (1 × 10⁶), injected through a tail vein into NK cell-depleted SCID mice, formed large number of metastatic colonies in the liver, kidneys and lymph nodes by 42 days after inoculation (day 42). KM966, but not control MAb, given on days 2 and 7, almost completely inhibited metastasis formation of SBC-3 cells in the liver, kidneys and lymph nodes in a dose-dependent fashion. Moreover, treatment with KM966 at advanced stages of metastasis (even from day 28) significantly suppressed multiple organ metastases of SBC-3 cells. The anti-metastatic effect of KM966 in vivo was mainly due to an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) reaction mediated by macrophages of the SCID mice. Our findings suggest that the mouse-human chimeric anti-GM2 MAb, KM966 may be useful for eradicating multiple organ micrometastases of lung cancer in humans.Int. J. Cancer 78:480–485, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is responsible for production of bone metastasis, but not visceral metastasis, by human small cell lung cancer SBC-5 cells in natural killer cell-depleted SCID mice

We previously established an osteolytic bone metastasis model with multiorgan dissemination in natural killer (NK) cell-depleted severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice using human small cell lung cancer cells (SBC-5), which highly express the parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP). In our present study, we evaluated the role of PTHrP on bone metastasis by SBC-5 cells using anti-PTHrP neutralizing antibody (Ab). Anti-PTHrP Ab did not affect the proliferation or cytokine production of SBC-5 cells in vitro. Repeated intravenous injection with anti-PTHrP Ab inhibited the formation of bone metastasis in a dose-dependent manner, while the same treatment had no significant effect on the metastasis to visceral organs (lung, liver, kidney and lymph node). In addition, treatment with anti-PTHrP Ab improved the elevated serum calcium level, associated with inhibition of osteolytic bone metastasis, suggesting that anti-PTHrP Ab inhibited bone metastasis via suppression of bone resorption probably by neutralizing PTHrP. These findings suggest that PTHrP is essential for bone metastasis, but not visceral metastasis, by small cell lung cancer SBC-5 cells.     

A new quinoline derivative MS-209 reverses multidrug resistance and inhibits multiorgan metastases by P-glycoprotein-expressing human small cell lung cancer cells.

Development of distant metastases and acquired multidrug resistance (MDR) are major problems in therapy for human small cell lung cancer (SCLC). MS-209 is a novel quinoline compound, which reverses P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated MDR. We previously reported that MS-209 reversed in vitro MDR of human SCLC (SBC-3 / ADM and H69 / VP) cells expressing P-gp. In the present study, we determined the therapeutic effect of MS-209 in combination with chemotherapy against multiorgan metastases of MDR SCLC cells. SBC-3 / ADM cells expressing P-gp were highly resistant to etoposide (VP-16), adriamycin (ADM), and vincristine (VCR) in vitro, compared with parental SBC-3 cells lacking P-gp expression. MS-209 restored chemosensitivity of SBC-3 / ADM cells to VP-16, ADM, and VCR in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Intravenous injection with SBC-3 or SBC-3 / ADM cells produced metastatic colonies in the liver, kidneys and lymph nodes in natural killer (NK) cell-depleted severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, though SBC-3 / ADM cells more rapidly produced metastases than did SBC-3 cells. Treatment with VP-16 and ADM reduced metastasis formation by SBC-3 cells, whereas the same treatment did not affect metastasis by SBC-3 / ADM cells. Although MS-209 alone had no effect on metastasis by SBC-3 or SBC-3 / ADM cells, combined use of MS-209 with VP-16 or ADM resulted in marked inhibition of metastasis formation by SBC-3 / ADM cells to multiple organs. These findings suggest that MS-209 reversed the MDR of SBC-3 / ADM cells, but not SBC-3 cells, growing in the various organs, and inhibited metastasis formation in vivo. Therefore, this chemosensitizing agent, MS-209, may be useful for treatment of refractory SCLC patients with multiorgan metastases.     

Combined therapy with a new bisphosphonate, minodronate (YM529), and chemotherapy for multiple organ metastases of small cell lung cancer cells in severe combined immunodeficient mice.

PURPOSE: Lung cancer in the advanced stage frequently metastasizes to multiple organs, including the liver, lungs, lymph nodes, and bone. Bisphosphonates have been widely used to treat osteolytic bone metastasis in the past years; however, many studies have implicated that a single use of bisphosphonates could not prolong the survival of patients. In the present study, using a multiple-organ metastasis model of human lung cancer cells, we examined the effect of combined therapy with a new bisphosphonate (YM529) and etoposide (VP-16). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Human small cell lung cancer (SBC-5) cells i.v. inoculated into natural killer cell-depleted severe combined immunodeficient mice metastasized to multiple organs, including the lungs, liver, kidneys, lymph nodes, and bone. SBC-5-bearing mice were treated with YM529 and/or VP-16 and sacrificed 5 weeks after tumor cell inoculation. Bone metastasis was assessed by X-ray photographs, and visceral metastasis was evaluated macroscopically. The number of osteoclasts in the bone lesions was examined by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining. RESULTS: Monotherapy with YM529 suppressed the production of bone metastases, but not visceral metastasis. Histological analyses revealed that the number of osteoclasts in bone lesions was lower in YM526-treated mice, compared with control mice. VP-16 inhibited both bone metastasis and visceral (lung and liver) metastasis. However, neither YM529 alone nor VP-16 alone significantly prolonged the survival of SBC-5-bearing mice. Combined use of YM529 and VP-16 further inhibited the production of bone metastasis and significantly prolonged survival. CONCLUSIONS: Combined therapy with bisphosphonate and chemotherapy may be useful for small cell lung cancer patients with multiple organ metastases including bone metastasis.     

A New Quinoline Derivative MS-209 Reverses Multidrug Resistance and Inhibits Multiorgan Metastases by P-glycoprotein-expressing Human Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

Development of distant metastases and acquired multidrug resistance (MDR) are major problems in therapy for human small cell lung cancer (SCLC). MS-209 is a novel quinoline compound, which reverses P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated MDR. We previously reported that MS-209 reversed in vitro MDR of human SCLC (SBC-3/ADM and H69/VP) cells expressing P-gp. In the present study, we determined the therapeutic effect of MS-209 in combination with chemotherapy against multiorgan metastases of MDR SCLC cells. SBC-3/ADM cells expressing P-gp were highly resistant to etoposide (VP-16), adriamycin (ADM), and vincristine (VCR) in vitro , compared with parental SBC-3 cells lacking P-gp expression. MS-209 restored chemosensitivity of SBC-3/ADM cells to VP-16, ADM, and VCR in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Intravenous injection with SBC-3 or SBC-3/ADM cells produced metastatic colonies in the liver, kidneys and lymph nodes in natural killer (NK) cell-depleted severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, though SBC-3/ ADM cells more rapidly produced metastases than did SBC-3 cells. Treatment with VP-16 and ADM reduced metastasis formation by SBC-3 cells, whereas the same treatment did not affect metastasis by SBC-3/ADM cells. Although MS-209 alone had no effect on metastasis by SBC-3 or SBC-3/ADM cells, combined use of MS-209 with VP-16 or ADM resulted in marked inhibition of metastasis formation by SBC-3/ADM cells to multiple organs. These findings suggest that MS-209 reversed the MDR of SBC-3/ADM cells, but not SBC-3 cells, growing in the various organs, and inhibited metastasis formation in vivo. Therefore, this chemosensitizing agent, MS-209, may be useful for treatment of refractory SCLC patients with multiorgan metastases.     

Natural killer cell-dependent suppression of systemic spread of human lung adenocarcinoma cells by monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene transfection in severe combined immunodeficient mice

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a chemokine with various biological activities, including augmentation of cytotoxic activity of monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. The present study was undertaken to determine whether transfection of the MCP-1 gene into lung cancer cells affected their tumorigenicity and metastatic potential by the NK cell-mediated mechanism. The human MCP-1 gene inserted into an expression vector (BCMGSNeo) was transfected into human lung adenocarcinoma (PC-14) cells. There was no difference in in vitro proliferation between MCP-1 gene-transfected PC-14 cells and the parent cells or mock-transfected cells. The tumorigenicity and in vivo tumor growth of MCP-1 gene-transfected PC-14 cells were similar to those of the parent cells or mock-transfected cells when tumor cells were injected into the s.c. space of NK cell-intact severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Although parent cells and mock-transfected cells inoculated i.v. formed lung metastatic colonies and pleural effusion, MCP-1 gene transfectants reduced the systemic spread in NK cell-intact SCID mice. Interestingly, these modulations in a systemic spread by MCP-1 gene transfection were not observed in NK cell-depleted SCID mice. Decreased survival of MCP-1 gene transfectants in the lung was observed in NK cell-intact SCID mice but not in NK cell-depleted SCID mice. Recombinant MCP-1 or the supernatant of MCP-1 gene transfectants enhanced the cytotoxicity of human CD56+ NK cells and spleen cells of SCID mice against PC-14 cells. These findings suggest that locally produced MCP-1 suppresses tumor progression by a NK cell-mediated mechanism, depending on organ microenvironment.     

Transduction of KAI1/CD82 cDNA promotes hematogenous spread of human lung-cancer cells in natural killer cell-depleted SCID mice.

KAI1, which is identical to CD82, was initially identified as a metastasis-suppressor gene for human prostate cancer, and its expression is reported to be a favorable prognostic factor for operable human lung cancer. In this study, we examined the functional role of KAI1/CD82 in the late phase of metastatic spread of human lung-cancer cells. For this, KAI1/CD82 cDNA was introduced into KAI1/CD82 low-expressing human lung-cancer cell lines, SBC-3 and PC-14, and then the metastatic potential of the transformants was analyzed by i.v. inoculation of KAI1/CD82-transduced cells, SBC-3/KAI1 and PC-14/KAI1, into NK cell-depleted SCID mice. Contrary to our expectations, KAI1/CD82 gene transfer promoted multiorgan metastasis of i.v.-inoculated human lung-cancer cells, while s.c. tumor growth was unaffected. Cancer cells from metastatic tumors of NK cell-depleted SCID mice injected i.v. with SBC-3/KAI1 expressed appreciable cell-surface KAI1/CD82, and cells not expressing KAI1/CD82 (revertants) were not detected in the tumors. Our findings indicate that under conditions where the host's natural cytotoxicity is suppressed, KAI1/CD82 may enhance the formation of tumors by circulating lung-cancer cells at metastatic sites.     

CD9 overexpression suppressed the liver metastasis and malignant ascites via inhibition of proliferation and motility of small-cell lung cancer cells in NK cell-depleted SCID mice

CD9, a transmembrane protein known as motility-related protein-1, plays a pivotal role in regulating cell adhesion, motility, and proliferation, and has been regarded as an important metastasis-inhibitory factor of various human cancers. However, little information has been obtained regarding the highly metastatic human small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). In the present study, an SCLC cell line (OS3-R5), lacking CD9 expression, was transfected with human CD9 gene to assess the role of CD9 on the metastatic potential of SCLC. CD9 gene transfection into OS3-R5 cells resulted in cell proliferation and motility in vitro. Parental and mock-transfected OS3-R5 cells developed liver metastasis and malignant ascites when they were intravenously inoculated into NK cell-depleted SCID mice. CD9 gene transfection into OS3-R5 cells caused suppression of the liver metastasis and malignant ascites. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the number of proliferating tumor cells was significantly fewer in liver lesions produced by CD9 gene-transfected OS3-R5 cells than those produced by parental or mock control OS3-R5 cells. In addition, no detectable levels of CD9 were expressed in metastatic tumor cells in mice bearing CD9 gene-transfected OS3-R5 cells, as well as those in mice bearing parental or mock control OS3-R5 cells. These results suggest that the restored expression of CD9 in SCLC cells may reduce the metastatic spread of SCLC cells via the inhibition of cell proliferation and motility.     

Novel metastasis model of human lung cancer in SCID mice depleted of NK cells

Metastasis is a critical problem in the treatment of human lung cancer. Thus, a suitable animal model of metastasis of human lung cancer is required for in vivo biological and preclinical studies. In this study, we tried to establish a suitable model for this, using SCID mice. Neither human SCLC H69/VP cells (5 × 10⁶) nor squamous-cell carcinoma RERF-LC-AI cells (1 × 10⁶), injected through a tail vein, formed metastases in untreated SCID mice. Pre-treatment of SCID mice with anti-asialo GM₁ serum resulted in only a few metastases of H69/VP cells, but pre-treatment with anti-mouse IL-2 receptor β chain Ab (TM-β1) resulted in numerous lymph-node metastases 56 days after tumor inoculation. H69/VP-M cells, an in vivo-selected variant line, formed significant numbers of lymph-node metastases even in SCID mice pre-treated with anti-asialo GM₁ serum. SCID mice depleted of NK cells by treatment with TM-β1 showed different patterns of metastasis when inoculated intravenously with the 2 different human lung cancer cell lines (H69/VP and RERF-LC-AI cells): H69/VP cells formed metastases mainly in systemic lymph nodes and the liver, whereas RERF-LC-AI cells formed metastases mainly in the liver and kidneys, with only a few in lymph nodes. A histopathological study showed that the metastatic colonies consisted of cancer cells. The numbers of metastatic colonies formed by the 2 cell lines increased with the number of cells inoculated. TM-β1 treatment of SCID mice efficiently removed NK cells from peripheral blood for at least 6 weeks, whereas, after treatment of the mice with anti-asialo GM₁ serum, NK cells were recovered within 9 days. These findings suggest that NK-cell-depleted SCID mice may be useful as a model in biological and pre-clinical studies on metastasis of human lung cancer. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Molecular pathogenesis and its therapeutic modalities of lung cancer metastasis to bone

Bone metastasis is a critical problem of lung cancer patients. Reproducible animal models of lung cancer bone metastasis, like NK-cell depleted SCID mouse model with SCB-5 cells, are useful to explore the molecular mechanism and search of molecular targets. SBC-5 cells overexpressed PTHrP and that treatment with anti-PTHrP neutralizing antibody inhibited the production of bone metastases of SBC-5 cells in the NK-cell depleted SCID mouse model, indicating the critical role of PTHrP in bone metastasis in this model. In addition, we demonstrated that several compounds, including bisphosphonates and reveromycin A, potentially suppress osteoclast-activity were beneficial for the treatments of bone metastasis. Multi-modality therapy may be necessary for further augmenting the therapeutic efficacy against lung cancer bone metastasis.     

Role of natural killer cells in hormone-independent rapid tumor formation and spontaneous metastasis of breast cancer cells in vivo

Natural killer (NK) cells play a central role in host defense against tumor and virus-infected cells. Direct role of NK cells in tumor growth and metastasis remains to be elucidated. We here demonstrated that NOD/SCID/γc^null (NOG) mice lacking T, B and NK cells inoculated with breast cancer cells were efficient in the formation of a large tumor and spontaneous organ-metastasis. In contrast, breast cancer cells produced a small tumor at inoculated site in T and B cell knock-out NOD/SCID mice with NK cells while completely failed to metastasize into various organs. Immunosupression of NOD/SCID by treatment with an anti-murine TM-β1 antibody, which transiently abrogates NK cell activity in vivo, resulted in enhancing tumor formation and organ-metastasis in comparison with non-treated NOD/SCID mice. Activated NK cells inhibited tumor growth in vivo. The rapid and efficient engraftment of the breast cancer cells in NOG mice suggests that this new animal model could provide a unique opportunity to understand and investigate the mechanism of tumor cell growth and metastasis. Our results suggest that NK cells play an important role in cancer growth and metastasis and could be a promising immunotherapeutic strategy against cancer either alone or in combination with conventional therapy. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

人肺癌高转移动物模型的筛选及其细胞系的建立

目的:建立人肺癌小鼠高转移模型及高转移细胞系,同时观察相关生物学特性,为肺癌转移机制和防治等研究提供有用的实验工具。方法:切除首代小鼠移植瘤,以延长动物生存时间而获得转移灶,从第二代起采用肺转移灶→皮下移植→肺转移灶→皮下移植的体内循环筛选方法建立NOD/SCID小鼠人肺癌细胞SPC-A-1皮下移植瘤高转移模型,并进行肿瘤的生长和转移情况、组织病理学观察,同时建立相应的高转移细胞系,进行各种相关生物学特性观察。结果:第一代移植瘤切除后转移率达66.7%,通过4代体内反复筛选建立了100%肺转移NOD/SCID小鼠模型及相应高转移细胞系,细胞生长行为和染色体分析等生物学特性观察表明该细胞系保持了原有的人肺腺癌的生物学特性。结论:应用体内筛选的方法成功建立了人肺癌皮下移植瘤高转移模型及高转移细胞系,为肺癌防治研究及抗转移实验治疗提供了理想的动物模型。     

Identification of a key molecular regulator of liver metastasis in human pancreatic carcinoma using a novel quantitative model of metastasis in NOD/SCID/gammacnull (NOG) mice

We developed a reliable new model system for assaying liver metastasis using NOD/SCID/gamma(c)(null) (NOG) mice. Seven human pancreatic cancer cell lines were examined for their ability to form diverse metastatic foci in the livers of NOD/SCID and NOG mice. Capan-2 and PL45 showed no metastasis when seeded at up to 10(5) cells in both strains, and no BxPC-3 metastasis was observed in NOD/SCID mice. The NOD/SCID mouse model detected liver metastasis only in the AsPC-1 cell line when inoculated with >10(3) cells. In contrast, when inoculated with only 10(2) MIA PaCa-2, AsPC-1 and PANC-1 cells, liver metastasis was evident in 71.4% (5/7), 57.1% (4/7) and 37.5% (3/8) of the NOG mice, respectively. Capan-1 and BxPC-3 cells metastasized when seeded at 10(3) cells in 50% (5/10) and in 12.5% (1/8) of the mice, respectively. Using the NOG mouse model system, we established a highly metastatic cell line, liver metastasized-BxPC-3 (LM-BxPC-3), from liver metastatic foci formed by the relatively poorly metastatic parental BxPC-3 cell line. The gene expression profiles of parental and LM-BxPC-3 cells were compared, and we identified forty-five genes that were either upregulated or downregulated >4-fold in the LM-BxPC-3 cell line. We validated 9 candidate protein-coding sequences, and examined the correlation between their expression pattern and the in vivo liver metastatic potential of all 7 pancreatic cancer cell lines. Only S100A4 expression correlated with the ability to form liver metastases, as evaluated in our quantitative model of metastasis in NOG mice. These results suggested that S100A4 is a key regulator of liver metastasis in pancreatic cancer, and demonstrated the feasibility of using the quantitative metastasis model to search for and develop new anti-cancer therapies and novel drugs against this and other key molecules.     

αvβ_3整合素在小细胞肺癌骨转移细胞株SBC-5中的表达及意义

目的：分析αvβ3整合素在特异性小细胞肺癌骨转移细胞株中的表达,探讨肺癌骨转移的机制。方法：RT-PCR、Western-blot和免疫荧光染色检测小细胞肺癌特异性骨转移细胞株SBC-5和非骨转移细胞株SBC-3中αvβ3整合素的表达差异。结果：αvβ3整合素在SBC-5细胞株中的表达显著高于SBC-3细胞株。结论：αvβ3整合素可能与小细胞肺癌骨转移的发生相关,可能促进了小细胞肺癌骨转移的发生。     

高转移性人肺腺癌细胞株SPC-A-1BM的建立及其特性分析

目的:建立高转移性人肺腺癌细胞株SPC-A-1BM及其免疫缺陷小鼠转移动物模型。方法:将人肺腺癌细胞株SPC-A-1经免疫缺陷小鼠血道或肺原位接种后形成转移,在放射性核素示踪下找到骨转移病灶,然后切除病变骨组织进行体外培养获得转移性肺癌细胞,用这些癌细胞重复以上循环10次,获得高转移肺癌细胞。采用荧光定量PCR方法检测亲代细胞和高转移细胞的基因表达。结果:获得以骨转移为主,肺、肾上腺、淋巴结等多脏器转移的人肺腺癌转移细胞株(SPC-A-1BM)及其免疫缺陷小鼠动物模型。定量PCR检测显示SPC-A-1BM的上皮生长因子受体(EGFR/HER)家族、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)家族和3个抗凋亡蛋白的基因较原代细胞均有不同程度的变化。结论:SPC-A-1BM是以骨转移为主的高转移性人肺腺癌细胞株,该细胞株及其转移动物模型为肺癌转移的生物学研究提供了一个良好的技术平台。     

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene modification of multidrug-resistant human lung cancer enhances antimetastatic effect of therapy with anti-P-glycoprotein antibody in SCID mice

Distant metastases and multidrug resistance are critical problems in the therapy of human small cell lung cancer (SCLC). In this study, we investigated whether transduction of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) gene into multidrug-resistant (MDR) human lung cancer cells affected the formation of metastases or their inhibition by the anti-P-glycoprotein (P-gp) monoclonal antibody (MAb) MRK16. MDR human SCLC (H69/VP) cells were transduced with the human MCP-1 gene inserted into the expression vector BCMGSNeo. MCP-1 gene transduction had no effect on drug sensitivity, the expression of surface antigens or the in vitro proliferation of H69/VP cells. Using the metastatic model of NK cell-depleted SCID mice, H69/VP cells transduced with the MCP-1 gene were inoculated intravenously (i.v.) and formed metastatic colonies in the liver, kidneys and lymph nodes, similar to those formed by parent or mock-transduced cells. However, systemic treatment of the mice with MRK16 reduced the metastases of H69/VP cells in the liver, kidneys and lymph nodes, and was significantly more effective in inhibiting the metastases of MCP-1 producing H69/VP than those of mock-transduced cells. MCP-1 gene transduction significantly prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice treated with MRK16. Our findings suggest that local production of MCP-1 in the tumor site increases the anti-P-gp antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and the MCP-1 gene-induced modification of MDR human SCLC cells thereby enhances the antimetastatic effect of therapy with anti-P-gp antibody. Thus, the accumulation of effector cells in the tumor site is a very important factor in the therapy using the anti-P-gp antibody.     

Multifunctional interleukin-1beta promotes metastasis of human lung cancer cells in SCID mice via enhanced expression of adhesion-, invasion- and angiogenesis-related molecules

We examined whether interleukin-1 (IL-1), a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine, progresses or regresses metastasis of lung cancer. Exogenous IL-lβ enhanced expression of various cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) by A549, PC14, RERF-LC-AI, and SBC-3 cells expressing IL-1 receptors. A549 cells transduced with human IL-1β -gene with the growth-hormone signaling-peptide sequence (A549/IL-1β) secreted a large amount of IL-1β protein. Overexpression of IL-1β resulted in augmentation of expression of the cytokines, ICAM-1, and matrix metallo-proteinase-2 (MMP-2). A549/IL-1β cells intravenously inoculated into severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice distributed to the lung more efficiently and developed lung metastasis much more rapidly than did control A549 cells. Treatment of SCID mice with anti-IL-1β antibody inhibited formation of lung metastasis by A549/IL-1β cells. Moreover, A549/IL-1β cells inoculated in the subcutis grew more rapidly, without necrosis, than did control A549 cells, which produced smaller tumors with central necrosis, suggesting involvement of angiogenesis in addition to enhanced binding in the high metastatic potential of A549/IL-1β cells. Histological analyses showed that more host-cell infiltration, fewer apoptotic cells, more vascularization, and higher MMP activity were observed in tumors derived from A549/IL-1β cells, compared with tumors derived from control A549 cells. These findings suggest that IL-1β facilitates metastasis of lung cancer via promoting multiple events, including adhesion, invasion and angiogenesis. (Cancer Sci 2003; 94: 244–252)     

Metastatic potential of cloned murine melanoma cells transfected with activated c-Ha-ras

We sought to determine whether the transfection of tumorigenic but not metastatic cells with the activated c-Ha-ras oncogene was invariably associated with acquisition of the metastatic phenotype. Three clonally derived lines of the K-1735 murine melanoma, characterized as nonmetastatic or poorly metastatic, were transfected with plasmids containing the 6.6-kilobase BamHI fragment of the mutant human c-Ha-ras gene and the neo gene, that confers resistance to neomycin (pSV2neoEJ). Cells transfected with pSV2neo, a plasmid containing the neo gene, served as controls for the procedure of Polybrene-mediated transfection. All cell lines were injected into syngeneic C3H/HeN and into athymic mice, and the results were compared with those produced by highly metastatic K-1735 M-2 cells. Although the pSV2neoEJ-transfected cells produced more rapidly growing s.c. tumors than the control cell lines did, the incidence of spontaneous metastasis was not increased. Following i.v. inoculation, the c-Ha-ras transfectants were retained in lung vasculature in greater proportions than pSV2neo counterpart transfectants were. The c-Ha-ras transfectants also produced significantly more lung tumor colonies, which grew faster than the few lung tumor colonies in mice given injections of control melanoma cells. We concluded that transfection of the activated c-Ha-ras oncogene into nonmetastatic K-1735 melanoma cells leads to accelerated tumor growth in vivo and can confer the ability to form lung colonies after i.v. injection but not the ability to metastasize from a primary s.c. tumor.