A study of desmosomes in human colorectal cancer
A study of desmosomes in human colorectal cancer
Reduction in adhesiveness of malignant cells may promote invasion or cell detachment, contributing to the formation of metastases. Desmosomes are adhesive intercellular junctions, characteristic of vertebrate epithelia. The aim of this project was to compare the desmosomes of human colorectal carcinomas with those of benign colorectal epithelia in order to determine whether differences exist between them. Anti-desmosomal monoclonal antibody stained all carcinomas studied, including metastases. The pattern of staining corresponded with the electromicroscopical distribution of desmosomes. In moderately-differentiated carcinomas, where cell polarity was maintained, the distribution of desmosomes was polarised and similar to uninvolved mucosa. Where cell polarity was lost, e.g. poorly-differentiated carcinomas, staining was evenly distributed around cells. Desmosomal distribution in primary carcinomas and corresponding metastases was similar. Two epithelial cell lines were cultured from colorectal carcinomas for use in desmosome studies. Both types expressed desmosomes and characteristic cytokeratins. Staining with carcinoembryonic antigen, presence of multilayered colonies and the ability to clone in soft agar suggested that cells from both lines possessed malignant phenotypes. Immunoblotting of cultured cells, and benign and malignant epithelia showed presence of the same major desmosomal proteins and glycoproteins. However, some differences between carcinomatous and benign tissues were identified with an antiserum raised against desmosomal glycoprotein 3. Desmosomes separated in response to reduced extracellular [Ca2+ ] in cells cultured for less than two days, but subsequently became stable. Comparisons of the effects of similar exposure on carcinomas and benign epithelia were complicated by tissue degeneration though some groups of carcinoma cells were similar to those of benign tissues in their desmosomal stability characteristics. (DX88268)
University of Southampton
Marston, Jane Elizabeth
ab02b0da-3cf3-4368-95bf-c8a721cd909f
1989
Marston, Jane Elizabeth
ab02b0da-3cf3-4368-95bf-c8a721cd909f
Marston, Jane Elizabeth
(1989)
A study of desmosomes in human colorectal cancer.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
Reduction in adhesiveness of malignant cells may promote invasion or cell detachment, contributing to the formation of metastases. Desmosomes are adhesive intercellular junctions, characteristic of vertebrate epithelia. The aim of this project was to compare the desmosomes of human colorectal carcinomas with those of benign colorectal epithelia in order to determine whether differences exist between them. Anti-desmosomal monoclonal antibody stained all carcinomas studied, including metastases. The pattern of staining corresponded with the electromicroscopical distribution of desmosomes. In moderately-differentiated carcinomas, where cell polarity was maintained, the distribution of desmosomes was polarised and similar to uninvolved mucosa. Where cell polarity was lost, e.g. poorly-differentiated carcinomas, staining was evenly distributed around cells. Desmosomal distribution in primary carcinomas and corresponding metastases was similar. Two epithelial cell lines were cultured from colorectal carcinomas for use in desmosome studies. Both types expressed desmosomes and characteristic cytokeratins. Staining with carcinoembryonic antigen, presence of multilayered colonies and the ability to clone in soft agar suggested that cells from both lines possessed malignant phenotypes. Immunoblotting of cultured cells, and benign and malignant epithelia showed presence of the same major desmosomal proteins and glycoproteins. However, some differences between carcinomatous and benign tissues were identified with an antiserum raised against desmosomal glycoprotein 3. Desmosomes separated in response to reduced extracellular [Ca2+ ] in cells cultured for less than two days, but subsequently became stable. Comparisons of the effects of similar exposure on carcinomas and benign epithelia were complicated by tissue degeneration though some groups of carcinoma cells were similar to those of benign tissues in their desmosomal stability characteristics. (DX88268)
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Published date: 1989
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Local EPrints ID: 461362
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/461362
PURE UUID: a6f03691-dcea-4e7e-ae53-6fac6804591a
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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 18:43
Last modified: 23 Jul 2022 01:08
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Author:
Jane Elizabeth Marston
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