Malignant Melanoma Cells (malignant + melanoma_cell)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Why do melanomas get so dark?

EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 11 2009
Rossitza Lazova
Abstract:, Cutaneous malignant melanomas often exhibit pigmented regions that are darker than the surrounding skin. While melanoma cells are the original source of the melanin, keratinocytes and melanophages also contribute to the tumor colour because they contain melanin obtained from melanoma cells. However, little is known of the origin of darkly pigmented melanoma cells or of the molecular pathways regulating their melanin production. Here we discuss observations that dark melanoma cells emerge from within populations of melanoma in situ and that, in addition to producing abundant dark pigment, they appear to be undergoing autophagy. Moreover, autophagy appears to be a common trait of invasive melanoma cells in the dermis. The underlying cause of this phenomenon may stem from aberrant production of glycosylation structures known as ,1,6-branched oligosaccharides. Our studies of dark cutaneous melanomas were prompted by analyses of experimental mouse macrophage-melanoma hybrids fused in the laboratory. Like melanoma cells in cutaneous malignant melanoma, experimental hybrids also displayed abundant dark pigment and autophagy, and had high levels of ,1,6-branched oligosaccharides. Whether or not darkly pigmented malignant melanoma cells originate from fusion with macrophages in vivo remains to be determined. In any event, pigmentation in melanoma, long considered as a secondary aspect of the malignancy, may be a visible warning that the cells have gained competence for invasion and metastasis. [source]


Cyclosporine A and its non-immunosuppressive derivative NIM811 induce apoptosis of malignant melanoma cells in in vitro and in vivo studies

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 1 2005
Iwona Ciechomska
Abstract Advanced melanoma is a highly malignant tumor with an increasing incidence that has a poor prognosis due to resistance to common therapeutic strategies. We have demonstrated previously that cyclosporine A (CsA) induces apoptosis of rat glioma cells, reactive astrocytes, and fibroblasts. In our present study, we investigated effects of CsA and its nonimmunosuppressive derivative NIM811 on survival of human and murine melanoma cells. We demonstrated that CsA and NIM811 affect survival of human and murine melanoma cells and induce morphological changes, alterations in nuclear morphology and an internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, consistent with an apoptotic type of death. Western blot analysis showed an activation of caspases 9, 7, 3 and PARP cleavage detectable at 24 hr after exposure of human melanoma cells to the drugs. CsA and NIM811 induced a significant increase in subG1 population of murine B16F10 melanoma cells indicative of apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Studies in murine model of melanoma showed that NIM811, but not CsA, retards tumor progression and significantly decreases tumor volume after intratumoral application. Our findings indicate that CsA and its derivatives may be new candidates for the treatment of melanoma patients. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Mistletoe lectin-I augments antiproliferative effects of the PPAR, agonist rosiglitazone on human malignant melanoma cells

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010
Christian Freudlsperger
Abstract As malignant melanoma cells are highly resistant to conventional chemotherapy, survival rates after tumor spread remain poor and hence there is an urgent need for new therapeutic options. For both mistletoe lectin-I (ML-I) and the thiazolidinediones as synthetic ligands of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor , (PPAR,) an antiproliferative effect on malignant melanoma cells has previously been shown. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the combination of ML-I and the PPAR, ligand rosiglitazone is more efficacious in the treatment of malignant melanoma cells than either agent alone. Proliferation of three human melanoma cell lines treated with ML-I, rosiglitazone and the combination of both was measured in a broad concentration range (0.0001,100,,g/mL) using the XTT cell proliferation assay. Combined application tremendously increased the antiproliferative effect on all three melanoma cell lines compared with single agent treatment. In comparison with the single use of rosiglitazone, the combination with ML-I significantly increased the inhibition of cell growth by 51,79% and in comparison with the single use of ML-I by 9,32%, respectively. In conclusion, this study shows that the combination of ML-I with rosiglitazone significantly augments their antiproliferative effect on malignant melanoma cells in comparison with their single agent application, which might be a promising tool for further therapeutic studies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Cadherin-7 interacts with melanoma inhibitory activity protein and negatively modulates melanoma cell migration

CANCER SCIENCE, Issue 2 2009
Andreas Winklmeier
Melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) has been identified as a small protein secreted from malignant melanoma cells, which strongly enhances melanoma cell migration and invasion. Detailed analyses performed by our group showed interaction of MIA with extracellular matrix proteins and integrin ,4,1 and ,5,1 leading to cellular detachment. In this study, we identified cadherin-7 as a new MIA-binding protein using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry technology and co-immunoprecipitation. Cadherin-7 is a classical cell,cell adhesion molecule which was shown to be upregulated in malignant melanoma. We demonstrated enhanced expression of cadherin-7 in primary tumor cells compared to metastatic cells. Upregulation of cadherin-7 expression in metastatic cell lines but also downregulation of expression in cells derived from primary melanomas resulted in reduced cell migration. In addition, we speculate that MIA/cadherin-7 interaction may regulate cell,cell adhesion of malignant melanoma cells influencing the migration of the cells. Interestingly, overexpression of cadherin-7 resulted in a decreased MIA mRNA expression. In addition, MIA effects on cell migration were abrogated in cell clones overexpressing cadherin-7. In conclusion, these findings suggest that cadherin-7 regulates the expression and activity of MIA and the migration of melanoma cells playing a role in tumor development of malignant melanoma. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 261,268) [source]


Synthesis of Thia-Analogous Indirubin N -Glycosides and their Influence on Melanoma Cell Growth and Apoptosis

CHEMMEDCHEM, Issue 4 2010
Manfred Kunz Prof.
Stopping cancer in its tracks! Thia-analogues of indirubin- N -glycosides, prepared by condensation of N -glycosylisatines with thiaindane-3-one and subsequent deprotection, were tested for their activity against malignant melanoma cells. These indirubin- N -glycoside thia-analogues are active against melanoma cells, inducing growth arrest, apoptosis and inhibition of intracellular signal transduction. [source]