Identification L-selectin's Expression On Hepal-6 And The Relationship Of Lymphogenous Metastasis Ability

The selectins are a class of C-type animal lectins, which include three members, i.e., E-, P- and L-selectin that are intimately involved in the rolling of leukocytes along the blood vessel walls. They are specifically expressed as adhesion molecules on activated endothelium, platelets and leukocytes. Among them, L-selectin is constitutively expressed on the surface of many leukocytes. L-selectin is a type-I transmembrane glycoprotein, and its calcium-dependent lectin domain at the N-terminal, namely the carbohydrate recognition domain, along with the epidermal growth factor-like domain, are believed to support the major biological functions of the protein. L-selectin plays important roles in in the circulatory system, serving as receptor for lymphocyte "homing", and also for efficient accumulation and infiltration of effector cells during an inflammatory response. The process of tumor cell metastasis to lymph node appears similar to that of lymphocyte homing. Recent studies further revealed that mannose receptor (MR) which serves as a new L-selectin receptor is probably involved in tumor cell lymphogeneous metastasis, and MR is expressed on the lymphatic endothelium and mediates adherence of lymphocytes to the endothelium of lymphatic vessels by interacting with L-selectin on the surface of lymphocytes. It is therefore possible that MR can also mediate adherence of tumor cells onto lymphatic endothelium if there is presence of MR on the endothelium of lymphatic vessels in the tumor tissue. However, tumor cell adhesive and metastatic properties have not yet been adequately studied.Objectives: This thesis utilizes a mouse liver tumor cell line Hepa1-6, addresses the relationship between L-selectin and adhesive...