chondroitin-sulfates and Carcinoma--Transitional-Cell

As a step in the development of a system for assessing growth of human urothelium and transitional cell carcinoma, the growth of two established cell lines on collagen-based membranes has been evaluated. HT1080 (metastatic human fibrosarcoma) and WI38 VA13 (virus-transformed human fibroblasts) were grown on substrates of collagen, collagen/hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulphate and reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel). Cell growth was quantified using a new fluorimetric assay utilizing carboxyfluorescein diacetate. There were differences in morphology between cells grown on collagen and those grown on polystyrene. There were, however, no differences in growth of the WI38 VA13 cells on collagen compared with polystyrene, but growth of the HT1080 cells was increased on membranes of collagen/2.5% hyaluronic acid and collagen/5% chondroitin sulphate, and decreased on Matrigel. Adequate growth on collagen substrates is dependent on cell line. The fluorimetric assay used was suitable for quantifying cell growth on such substrates.

Topics: Basement Membrane; Biocompatible Materials; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell; Cell Count; Chondroitin Sulfates; Collagen; Culture Media; Drug Combinations; Fluoresceins; Fluorometry; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; In Vitro Techniques; Laminin; Proteoglycans; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The glycosaminoglycans of four normal human bladders and fourteen bladder cancers were characterized and quantitated (after proteolytic extraction) by specific enzyme digestion, cellulose acetate electrophoresis and densitometry. Hyaluronic acid, heparan sulfate, dermatan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate were identified in both normal and cancerous bladders. Hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulfate were the major glycosaminoglycans of the normal epithelium/submucosa while heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate were predominant in normal bladder muscle. Bladder cancer glycosaminoglycan content was influenced by the stage and grade of the neoplasm. Hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulfate tended to decrease and chondroitin sulfate to increase in infiltrating cancers, whereas a decrease in the percentage of heparan sulfate correlated closely with higher grade tumors. The bladder cancer glycosaminoglycan profile may be indicative of the tumor's invasive potential.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell; Child; Chondroitin Sulfates; Densitometry; Electrophoresis, Cellulose Acetate; Female; Glycosaminoglycans; Heparitin Sulfate; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Male; Middle Aged; Urinary Bladder; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms