3-((4-azidophenyl)dithio)propionic-n-hydroxysuccinimide and Neoplasm-Metastasis

The loss of fibronectin from tumor cell surfaces has been correlated with an increased incidence of metastases. To determine directly whether cell surface fibronectin influences the metastatic potential of solid tumors, we chemically crosslinked fibronectin to B16 murine melanoma cells using a photosensitive heterobifunctional crosslinking reagent, N-succinimidyl-4-azidophenyl-1,3 dithiopropionate (SADP). Cell attachment to plastic surfaces was increased in cells to which fibronectin was attached; cell growth over a 24-hr period was not significantly affected by the addition of fibronectin. When C57BL/6 mice were injected with fibronectin-crosslinked B16 cells, there was a 63% reduction in the number of pulmonary nodules compared to untreated controls. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that fibronectin enhances the recognition and removal of tumor cells from the circulation, possibly by cells of the reticuloendothelial system.

Topics: Animals; Azides; Cell Adhesion; Cell Division; Cell Membrane; Cells, Cultured; Cross-Linking Reagents; Fibronectins; Melanoma; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Neoplasm Metastasis; Surface Properties