Human Melanoma Cell Line A375 Research Articles

Fas-induced Apoptosis in Human Malignant Melanoma Cell Lines Is Associated with the Activation of the p34cdc2-related PITSLRE Protein Kinases

The Cdc2L locus encoding the PITSLRE protein kinases maps to chromosome band 1p36 and consists of two duplicated and tandemly linked genes. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether diminution of PITSLRE kinases leads to deregulation of apoptosis. The human melanoma cell lines A375 (Cdc2L wild-type alleles) and UACC 1227 (mutant Cdc2L alleles) were tested with agonist anti-Fas monoclonal antibody. We found that exposure of these cells to anti-Fas for 24, 48, or 72 h resulted in differential sensitivity to Fas-induced apoptosis. In A375, cell death started at 24-48 h post-treatment, and it was maximal by 72 h. Conversely, UACC 1227 cells were resistant to Fas-mediated apoptosis. Induction of PITSLRE histone H1 kinase activity was observed in A375 anti-Fas treated but not in UACC 1227 cells. Also, the PITSLRE protein kinase activity in A375 anti-Fas-treated cells preceded maximal levels of apoptosis. Finally, fluorescence confocal microscopy revealed a nuclear localization of PITSLRE proteins in normal melanocytes and A375 cells but a cytoplasmic localization in UACC 1227 cells. The differences in PITSLRE protein and cellular localization between A375 and UACC 1227 cells appear to account for the differences in sensitivity of the two cells lines to anti-Fas and staurosporine. These observations suggest that alterations in PITSLRE gene expression and protein localization may result in the loss of apoptotic signaling.

Morphological and biochemical analysis of the secretory pathway in melanoma cells with distinct metastatic potential

In this report, we have investigated whether alterations of the morphological and functional aspects of the biosecretory membrane system are associated with the metastatic potential of tumor cells. To this end, we have analyzed the morphology of the Golgi complex, the cytoskeleton organization and membrane trafficking steps of the secretory pathway in two human melanoma A375 cell line variants with low (A375-P) and high metastatic (A375-MM) potential. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that in A375-P cells, the Golgi complex showed a collapsed morphology. Conversely, in A375-MM cells, the Golgi complex presented a reticular and extended morphology. At the ultrastructural level, the Golgi complex of A375-P cells was fragmented and cisternae were swollen. When the cytoskeleton was analyzed, the microtubular network appeared normal in both cell variants, whereas actin stress fibers were largely absent in A375-P, but not in A375-MM cells. In addition, the F-actin content in A375-P cells was significantly lower than in A375-MM cells. These morphological differences in A375-P cells were accompanied by acceleration and an increase in the endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi and the trans-Golgi network to cell surface membrane transport, respectively. Our results indicate that in human A375 melanoma cells, metastatic potential correlates with a well-structured morphofunctional organization of the Golgi complex and actin cytoskeleton.

Interferon-gamma and interleukin-6 inhibit proliferation in human melanoma cells by different signalling pathways.

Interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) is a cell growth inhibitor, induced by cytokines, which transactivates downstream effector genes. The role of IRF-1 in the antiproliferative effect of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was investigated using the A375 human melanoma cell line. IL-6 is a stronger inhibitor of A375 proliferation compared with interferon-gamma (IFNgamma). However, in contrast to IFNgamma, IL-6 triggered lower IRF-1 DNA binding activity and induced barely detectable IRF-1-dependent transactivation activity. Furthermore, although IFNgamma induces only activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1, IL-6 activates mainly STAT3. These data suggest that IRF-1 plays a minor role in the antiproliferative effect of IL-6, which uses alternative signalling events to induce growth inhibition in A375 melanoma cells.

Radiosensitive melanoma cell line with mutation of the gene for ataxia telangiectasia.

The human melanoma cell lines MM96L, A2058 and HT144 were examined for sensitivity to ionizing radiation and UVB radiation. HT144 demonstrated a significant increase in sensitivity to ionizing and UVB radiation compared with the MM96L and A2058 cells. Sensitivity to both agents was associated with susceptibility to apoptosis. Using a protein truncation assay, a mutation for the gene for ataxia telangiectasia (ATM) was identified in HT144 cells. This was confirmed to be a homozygous mutation by subsequent sequencing of the abnormal region. Protein truncation assay of the other two cell lines showed no abnormality. The results suggest that somatic mutation of the A-T gene may be important in determining tumour radiosensitivity.

Effect of retinoic acid on melanoma cell-derived factor stimulation of fibroblast glycosaminoglycan synthesis.

The hyaluronan-rich matrix that surrounds many tumours and facilitates tumour cell growth and invasion is thought to be predominantly synthesized by normal stromal cells stimulated by tumour cell-derived factors. This study examines the possibility that the production of tumour cell-derived factors that stimulate fibroblast glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis may be blocked by exposure to differentiation-inducing agents such as retinoic acid. We have demonstrated that Hs294T, C8161 and A375 human melanoma cell lines release factors into their medium that stimulate normal fibroblast GAG synthesis. Exposure of these melanoma cells to retinoic acid failed to mediate any significant reduction in growth over a 7-day period. Retinoic acid failed to block the tumour cell production of GAG-stimulating activities and even enhanced the activities produced by the C8161 cell line, particularly at low retinoic acid concentrations (48% stimulation at 10(-9) M retinoic acid; P < 0.02). Addition of retinoic acid directly to fibroblast cultures exposed to fibroblast-conditioned medium resulted in an inhibition of GAG synthesis with a 33% inhibition observed at 10(-5) M. Addition of retinoic acid to fibroblast cultures exposed to the tumour cell-conditioned medium failed to inhibit the stimulation of GAG synthesis. Other differentiation-inducing agents, such as hexamethylene-bis-acetamide and butyrate, also failed to block the production of tumour cell-derived GAG-stimulating activities. These results demonstrate that retinoic acid and other differentiation-inducing agents fail to inhibit melanoma cell production of fibroblast GAG synthesis-stimulating factors or their action upon fibroblasts.

MSH Receptors and the Response of Human A375 Melanoma Cells to Interleukin-1β

α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH, α-melanotropin) has been shown to be an inhibitory factor in many immunologic and inflammatory processes involving the cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1). As the mechanism of the interaction between IL-1 and α-MSH at the receptor level is unknown, we have studied the role of MC1 melanocortin receptors in two variants of the human melanoma cell line A375 differing in their sensitivity to the cytostatic effects of IL-1β. Both IL-1 sensitive (A375r-) and resistant cells (A375r+) carry specific high affinity receptors for IL-1, albeit their concentration is 10-fold higher in A375r+ cells. In A375r- cells, MC1 receptors are absent or below the level for reliable detection in the binding assay. Conversion of A375r- to A375r+ cells by prolonged culture in medium not depleted of endotoxin led to the appearance of MC1 receptors (KD 0.4 ± 0.123 nmol/l; 608 ± 134 receptors/cell). Stable transfection of A375r- cells with the human MC1 receptor did not, however, render them resistant to the cytostatic effect of IL-1β on concomitant treatment with α-MSH or result in the production of IL-6 on treatment with IL-1β Therefore, the presence of MC1 receptors on the surface of A375 cells or their binding to α-MSH does not seem to be a factor in cytokine resistance or IL-6 secretion. No interaction between IL-1β and α-MSH could be demonstrated at the cellular level in this melanoma cell line.

The Role of the Insulin-like Growth Factor System in Human Cancer

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the role of the insulin-like growth factor system in human cancer. The normal process of growth and differentiation results from the genetically programmed action of a number of different cellular and extracellular factors. Derangement in the function of one or more of those agents can result in a pathologic phenotype, including neoplastic growth. A family of growth factors shown to be intimately involved in the regulation of cell growth as well as in cellular transformation is the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family. IGF-I and IGF-II are mitogenic polypeptides produced in the largest amounts by the liver and secreted into the circulation, where they mediate the effects of growth hormone (GH) on longitudinal growth. In addition to ligands and receptors, the IGF system comprises a third category of molecules, which bind IGFs in the circulation and in extracellular compartments. Six IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) have been characterized to date. Binding of IGFs to the IGF-I receptor induces receptor autophosphorylation. The cell cycle consists of four major phases: (1) the presynthetic phase, G; (2) the phase of DNA synthesis, S; (3) the premitotic phase, G; and (4) mitosis, M. IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin are chemotactic agents for the human melanoma cell line A2058, as assayed in a modified Boyden chamber. The chapter also gives selected examples of IGF involvement in human cancer. The wealth of information generated in the IGF field, as well as continued research efforts, both basic and clinic, promise to produce rational therapeutic approaches for those cancers in which the IGF system is involved.

Human Interleukin for DA Cells/Leukemia Inhibitory Factor and Oncostatin M Enhance Membrane Expression of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 on Melanoma Cells but not the Shedding of its Soluble Form

ICAM-1-mediated cell-cell adhesion is essential for different immunologic functions including non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity. The shedding of a soluble form off ICAM-1 from melanoma impairs immune recognition and leads to tumour escape. Pretreatment of the Foss human melanoma cell line with HILDA/LIF or OSM, two cytokines involved in acute-phase response, increased the expression of membrane ICAM-1 twofold without inducing sICAM-1 shedding. Conversely, TNF-α, in the same conditions, strongly stimulated membrane ICAM-1 expression and the shedding of the soluble form. The same phenomenon was observed on the A375 human melanoma cell line. ICAM-1 upregulation was concomitant with an increase in the non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity of tumour cells mediated by LAK cells. This higher sensitivity to LAK lysis was abolished by RR1/1, a specific monoclonal antibody against ICAM-1. Our results demonstrate for the first time the ability of HILDA/LIF and OSM to upregulate ICAM-1 expression on the melanoma cell surface, suggesting a potential role for these cytokines in human immune surveillance during tumour progression.

Enhanced Metastatic Ability of TNF-α-Treated Malignant Melanoma Cells Is Reduced by Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1, CD54) Antisense Oligonucleotides

Treating human malignant melanoma cells with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or interferon-γ (IFN-γ) causes a dose- and time-dependent increase in surface expression of ICAM-1. Increased ICAM-1 expression corresponds to greater binding of human leukocyte functional antigen- 1 (CD11a/CD18)-expressing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to C8161 monolayers, suggesting that cytokine-treated melanoma cells would be more metastatic due to PBMC-tumor cell emboli. The purpose of this study was: (1) to test whether TNF-α-treated human melanoma cells are indeed more metastatic than untreated C8161 and (2) to determine whether ICAM-1 plays a role in metastasis of C8161. When surface ICAM-1 expression is upregulated, formation of lung metastases in nude mice increases 1.5- to 4-fold (P < 0.05) for human melanoma cell lines C8161, MeWo, and A375. Treatment of C8161 with ICAM-1 phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides using cationic lipids results in >90% inhibition of ICAM-1 surface expression as determined by ELISA and flow cytometry. Antisense ICAM-l-treated cells form 41-64% fewer metastases than sham-treated cells. Metastasis does not increase when antisense-treated melanoma cells are exposed to TNF-α. However, treatment of C8161 with antisense 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) oligonucleotides inhibits metastases 39% in Lipofectin-treated cells, but does not inhibit TNF-αinduced upregulation of experimental metastases. Similar experiments were performed to measure PBMC adhesion to antisense oligonucleotide-treated C8161 cells; however, TNF-α-inducible increase in adhesion was unaffected by ICAM-1 or 5-LO antisense oligonucleotides. These results demonstrate that ICAM-1 is involved in melanoma metastasis, but probably not at the step of PBMC adhesion to C8161 cells.

Identification of Human Melanoma Cellular and Secreted Ligands for Galectin-3

The endogenous human tumor-associated galectin-3 (hL-31) is a functional molecule which acts as a receptor for ligands containing poly- N-acetyllactosamine sequences. However, little is known about its native ligand(s). In order to identify the ligand(s), the human melanoma cell line A375 was metabolically labeled with [ 3H]glucosamine, and total cell extracts and serum-free conditioned medium of the labeled cells were affinity-purified on immobilized recombinant hL-31 followed by elution with lactose, the specific sugar inhibitor of the lectin. Cellular ligands for hL-31 were found to be composed of the two lysosome-associated membrane proteins, LAMP-1 and LAMP-2, while secreted ligands consisted of two glycoproteins of 98 and 70 kDa. N-terminal protein microsequencing revealed that the 98 kDa and 70 kDa species share the same N-terminal sequence. The functional relevance of these secreted ligands was demonstrated by their ability to inhibit lectin-mediated hemagglutination in a manner similar to the specific sugar inhibitor lactose. Computer- assisted sequence library searches have identified the 98 kDa human melanoma secreted ligand to be the Mac-2-binding protein (Mac-2-BP), also known as the human lung tumor L3 antigen.

The human cell cycle gene CDC25B is located at 20p13.

Central to the onset of mitosis in all eucaryotic cells is the CDC2 protein kinase, the activity of which is negatively regulated by phosphorylation, and positively activated by dephosphorylation (5). The latter function is carried out by a novel phosphatase, cdc25 (4). There appear to be at least three human CDC25 genes that code for A (3), B (3), and C (6) forms of cdc25. The gene for cdc25C was recently mapped to chromosome band 5q31 by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) (7); however, genes for cdc25A and cdc25B have not yet been chromosomally assigned. A cDNA clone (CentroV), isolated from a [lambda]gt11 expression library constructed from the human melanoma cell line A2058 (Clontech), contained a 2.6-kb insert upon partial digestion with EcoRI and fragments of 1.2 and 1.4-kb upon complete digestion. Sequencing of the cDNA clone showed it to be derived from part of the CDC25B mRNA corresponding to nucleotides 307 to 2898 of the previously sequence (3). The 1.2- and 1.4-kb fragments were nick-translated with biotin-14-dATP and hybridized in situ simultaneously at a final concentration of 5 ng/[mu]l to metaphases from two normal males. The FISH method was modified from that previously described (1) in that chromosomes weremore » stained before analysis with both propidium iodide (as counterstain) and DAPI (for chromosome identification). Twenty metaphases from the first normal male were examined for fluorescent signal. Nineteen of these metaphases showed signal on one or both chromatids of chromosome 20 in the region 20p12-p13; 93% of this signal was at 20p13. There was a total of 17 nonspecific background dots observed in these 20 metaphases. A similar result was obtained from the hybridization to the second normal male.« less

Thrombospondin 2 inhibits metastasis of human malignant melanoma through microenvironment-modification in NOD/SCID/γCnull (NOG) mice

Thrombospondin (TSP) 2 interacts with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and matrix serine proteases such as plasminogen activator (PA). Malignant melanoma is an aggressive human neoplasm showing aggressive metastatic features. We examined the effects of TSP2 gene introduction in the human malignant melanoma cell line A375. We established three clones transfected with human TSP2 (A375/TSP2). The in vitro invasiveness was remarkably suppressed (42-61%) in the TSP2-transfectants, while growth properties were preserved. The A375/TSP2 showed significantly decreased liver metastatic potential (liver weight: 3.88+/-0.30 g in A375/TSP2, 7.07+/-0.67 g in vector-transfectant (A375/V), p<0.01, Mann-Whitney U test) in super immuno-deficient mice (NOD/SCID/gammacnull, NOG). The PA inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and PAI-2 mRNAs were significantly overexpressed in A375/TSP2. The increased activities of PAI-1 and PAI-2 were confirmed by reverse zymography. The vascularity of metastatic lesions was significantly decreased in A375/TSP2 (vascular density: 0.62+/-0.15% in A375/TSP2, 4.96+/-0.61% in A375/V, p<0.01, Welch test). These results suggest that TSP2 suppresses hematogenous metastasis through microenvironment-modification including PAI up-regulation and anti-vascularization in human malignant melanoma.

Cloning and in vitro expression of a melanoma-associated antigen immunogenic in patients with melanoma.

The purpose of this study was to identify human melanoma-associated Ag (MAA) that are immunogenic in patients, because these molecules may be useful immunogens to implement active specific immunotherapy. To this end, an expression cDNA library constructed from the human melanoma cell line A375 was screened with sera from patients with melanoma. A 1029-bp cDNA (designated D-1) was isolated. Its nucleotide sequence showed no significant homology with viral and mammalian sequences stored in GE-NETYX. cDNA D-1 hybridized to a 2.0-kb mRNA species from human melanoma, neuroblastoma, erythroleukemia, B lymphoid, and T lymphoid cell lines but not from a renal carcinoma cell line, PBL, and cultured skin fibroblasts. The D-1 clone produced a fusion protein that displayed a significantly higher reactivity with sera from patients with melanoma than from healthy controls. Furthermore, D-1 fusion protein induced in mice antibodies that immunoprecipitated a 50-kDa component from cultured human melanoma cells. The structural properties of D-1 MAA are different from those of previously described MAA. These results suggest that the approach we have applied may be useful to identify novel MAA expressed by melanoma cells. Furthermore, the immunogenicity of recombinant D-1 protein suggests that it may be a valuable immunogen to implement active specific immunotherapy in patients with melanoma, if additional experiments show that it has the appropriate tissue distribution.

Glycolysis as Primary Energy Source in Tumor Cell Chemotaxis

The energy requirements via glycolytic pathways were directly measured in migrating tumor cells. Motility in the metastatic human melanoma cell line A2058, stimulated by insulinlike growth factor I (IGF-I), depends on glycolysis in the presence of glucose as its principal source of energy. Motility in glucose-free medium was 75% reduced and utilized mitochondrial respiration (inhibited by oligomycin). With increasing (physiologic) glucose concentrations, there was a dramatic shift to anaerobic glycolysis as the energy source and 93% elimination of the oligomycin inhibition of motility. Oxamate, an inhibitor of glycolysis, inhibited motility at all glucose concentrations. CO2 production from glycolysis and from the hexose monophosphate shunt was measured in migrating tumor cells. The time course and glucose-dose dependence of glycolytic CO2 production correlated directly with motility. In contrast, mitochondrial CO2 production was inversely related to glucose concentration. A monoclonal antibody for the IGF-I receptor inhibited both motility and glycolytic CO2 production, indicating that both processes are receptor mediated.

Antiproliferative effect of interleukin 1 (IL-1) on tumor cells: G 0-G 1 arrest of a human melanoma cell line by IL-1

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) has been shown to have antiproliferative or cytocidal effects on several tumor cell lines and this effect is closely related to the induction of terminal differentiation of the target tumor cells. In this study we analyzed the antiproliferative effect of recombinant human IL-1 alpha on a human melanoma cell line A375 in relation to cell cycle. Nutrient-starved cells, most of which were in G0 + G1, were stimulated by culturing in fresh medium, causing them to enter S. IL-1 treatment induced a slight decrease in the first cell cycle progression from G0 + G1 to S. In addition IL-1 retarded progression of the cells through G2M and inhibited progression of the second cell cycle from G0 + G1 to S. Therefore we concluded that IL-1 exerts its antiproliferative effect by arresting the cells in G0 + G1.

Radioligand binding characteristics of β2–adrenoceptors of cultured melanoma cells

The existence of beta-adrenoceptors on intact cells of the human malignant melanoma cell line A-375 was investigated using the binding properties of the tritiated radioligand (-)-[3H]CGP-12177, a hydrophilic non-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist. Displacement experiments of the radioligand from its binding site were performed with antagonists and agonists to determine the beta-adrenoceptor subtype selectivity. The binding of (-)-[3H]CGP-12177 was saturable, of high affinity (KD = 0.025 nmol/l, n = 12) and was rapid and readily reversible. The maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) was 33.5 +/- 1.9 fmol/10(7) cells or 2018 +/- 114 receptors per cell. beta-adrenoceptor antagonists inhibited binding of the radioligand with monophasic displacement curves. IC50 values were (nmol/l): propranolol (non-selective) 2.82, alprenolol (non-selective) 2.0, ICI 118,551 (beta 2-selective) 3.5 and bisoprolol (beta 1-selective) 2200. Agonists inhibited binding in the order of potency of isoprenaline greater than adrenaline greater than noradrenaline. It is concluded that cells of the melanoma cell line A-375 contain a homogeneous population of beta 2-adrenoceptors.

A lymphocyte blastogenesis inhibitory factor (LBIF) reversibly arrests a human melanoma cell line, A375, at G 1 and G 2 phases of cell cycle

A lymphocyte blastogenesis inhibitory factor, LBIF, has been found in the culture supernatant of a human macrophage-like cell line, U937. The factor has been purified by fast protein liquid chromatography. Partial amino acid sequencing analysis showed that LBIF was a novel immunoregulatory factor. Recent study has demonstrated that LBIF possesses a remarkable tumor growth inhibitory activity. In this study, the cell growth inhibitory activity of LBIF was characterized on the proliferation of a human melanoma cell line A375 in vitro. LBIF strongly inhibits the proliferation of A375 cells. The inhibitory activity was cytostatic and reversible by Day 5 although the lethal effect became apparent at Day 7. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry showed that LBIF arrested A375 cells at both G 1 and G 2/M phases. Mitotic index analysis indicated that A375 cells were arrested in G 1 and G 2 phases. LBIF function was not attributed to the elevation of intracytoplasmic cyclic-AMP levels. Thus, these results suggest that LBIF plays an important role in controlling cell cycle and there is a similarity between the mechanisms of G 1 and G 2 arrests in eukaryotic cell proliferation. LBIF-induced reversible cell-cycle arrest of A375 cells can be a useful system to analyze the signal transduction for cell proliferation and cell-cycle arrest.

The type I insulin-like growth factor receptor is a motility receptor in human melanoma cells

Insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and II) and insulin are chemotactic agents for the human melanoma cell line A2058. As shown in this report, the motility receptor mediating this response is the heterodimeric type I IGF receptor. These three factors are able to compete with 125I-labeled IGF-I for binding to the cell surface with IC50 values equal to approximately 2 (IGF-I), approximately 150 (IGF-II), and approximately 300 nM (insulin). Cross-linking of 125I-IGF-I to the cell surface with disuccinimidyl suberate followed by analysis with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography reveals a 130-kDa protein (reduced) consistent with the alpha component of a type I receptor and a 38-kDa protein which does not bind insulin, and thus could be another IGF-I cell surface binding protein. The anti-IGF-I receptor monoclonal antibody (alpha IR-3) also competes with labeled IGF-I in binding experiments. In contrast, a control monoclonal antibody, matched to alpha IR-3 with respect to IgG subclass, has no significant effect on IGF-I binding. While alpha IR-3 inhibits the motility induced by IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin, pertussis toxin (0.01-1.0 micrograms/ml) has no significant effect on the motility induced by the insulin-like growth factors or insulin on this cell line. Therefore, the type I IGF receptor appears to mediate a highly potent pertussis toxin-insensitive motility response to IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin. In contrast, motility induced by the autocrine motility factor, a cytokine produced by the A2058 cells, is not affected by alpha IR-3 but is extremely sensitive to pertussis toxin. When mixtures of autocrine motility factor and IGF-I are employed to induce chemotaxis, the resulting motility is greater than that induced by either agent alone. These data indicate that motility in this melanoma cell line can be initiated through multiple receptors that stimulate the cells by separate transduction pathways. This capability to respond to multiple stimuli could enhance the metastatic potential.

Radio sensitivity of human prostate cancer and malignant melanoma cell lines

The relative radioresponsiveness of human prostate cancer compared to malignant melanoma is well known. The effects of β-estradiol or testosterone on the X-irradiation survival of several human cell lines were studied, including: human prostate carcinoma cell lines PC3 and DU145 and human malignant melanoma cell lines A375 and A875. Lines PC3 and DU 145 demonstrated 55–61 fmol per 10 6 cells of androgen receptor with no detectable estrogen or progesterone receptor. Cells were irradiated at 120 cGy/min dose rate. There was no detectable toxicity of up to 10 −4 M testosterone or β-estradiol on PC3 or DU 145 cells in the absence of X-irradiation. At plating efficiencies from 11–13%, and plating densities of 1 × 10 4 cells per 60 cm 2 flask, cell lines PC3 and DU145 demonstrated a D o of 108.5 ± 6.5, n 2.1 ± 0.7 cGy, and D o of 143.5 ± 1.5 cGy, n 2.4 ± 0.5, respectively. The addition of testosterone or β-estradiol at 10 −4 to 10 −10 M prior to or after, X-irradiation did not alter radiosensitivity. At the same dose rate of 120 cGy/min, malignant melanoma cell lines A375 and A875 had a D o of 125 ± 2.5 cGy, n 1.56 ± 0.8 SF 2 0.65 ± 0.03 and line A875 demonstrated a D o of 129 ± 4.5 cGy, n 1.58 ± 0.4 SF 2 0.55 ± 0.04, respectively. The radiosensitivity of melanoma cell lines did not decrease at low dose rate 5 cGy/min. Thus, the in vitro radiosensitivity of androgen receptor positive prostate cancer cell lines is not necessarily altered by the presence of androgen before or after irradiation. The data support the concept that all malignant melanoma cell lines do not show a broad-shouldered cell survival curve in vitro and intrinsic cellular radioresistance.

Purification and characterization of a novel human angiogenic factor (h-AF)

Serum-free supernatants of the human melanoma cell line A-375 2 contain an angiogenic activity as detected by the chorioallantois membrane assay which does not induce proliferation of cultured endothelial cells. This human angiogenic factor (h-AF) was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography as well as by conventional chromatographic procedures. A monoclonal antibody designated 5F4 was raised against h-AF, which binds but does not neutralize angiogenic activity. h-AF consists of a protein at MW 67 kD which focusses at pH 5.0. By biological and biochemical criteria it is shown that h-AF differs from other known growth factors.