In vitro influence of lectins and neoglycoconjugates on the growth of three human sarcoma cell lines

Purpose : The aim of our study is to investigate the in vitro effects of plant lectins, galectins and neoglycoconjugates on the proliferation of three human sarcoma cell lines. Methods : Proliferation was assessed by means of the tetrazolium derivative reduction (MTT) assay. In addition, glycohistochemistry was used to make visible the plant-lectin-specific binding sites; the intensity of the lectin binding pattern was quantified by means of image analysis. Results : Depending on the cell lines, the staining intensity and the percentage of labelled cells were different. With respect to growth modulation, the cell lines also responded differently to the probes used. Besides a predominant inhibitory effect elicited by the probes at 50 μg/ml, dose-dependent effects, including growth stimulation, were detectable in several instances. These effects relate to the animal galectins tested and several neoglycoconjugates, e.g. the lactose- and blood-group-A-trisaccharide-bearing probes. Conclusions : Endogenous lectins and lectin-reactive cellular glycoconjugates can apparently affect the regulation of the growth of human sarcoma cells. We suggest that these results are relevant for further histopathological monitoring in correlation with prognosis and in vitro assays to reveal possible clinical applications. Received: 4 May 1998 / Accepted: 7 December 1998