Alterations of cell surface antigens induced by placental isoform of ferritin in human carcinoma cell lines.

AIM

the ability of the breast cancer-associated placental acid isoform of ferritin (p43-PLF) to modulate cell surface expression of HLA, CD59 (protectin) and CD66 antigen (adhesion antigen related to CEA) was examined.

METHODS

the expression of these antigens in human breast carcinoma cell lines BT-20, T47D and MDA-MB-468 was determined with the aid of flow cytometry and monoclonal antibodies.

RESULTS

PLF induced a transient up-regulation followed by a down regulation of cell surface protectin (CD59 antigen) on the cell surface of T47D and to a lesser extent, BT-20 human breast carcinoma cell lines. Furthermore, PLF down-regulated cell surface expression of CEA-related CD66 antigen on both these cell lines. No PLF-induced alterations of protectin, CD66 antigen and HLA class I antigen were found on the MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell line.

CONCLUSIONS

breast cancer-associated p43 induces alterations of the expression of cell surface molecules in breast cancer cells which could have an effect on the modulation of cancer cell adhesive interactions.