Lectin Treatment Affects Malignant Characteristics of TPC-1 Papillary Thyroid Cancer Cells

Abstract

Objective: Abnormal glycosylation is a universal aspect of cancer cells. The altered glycosylation pattern has been originated from changings in expression of glycosylation enzymes which are up-regulating in reply to some oncoproteins in the biosynthetic pathway of glycans. In this study, it was aimed to show the presence of terminal α-2,3, α-2,6 sialic acid and α-1,6/α-1,2 fucose motifs in TPC-1 papillary thyroid cancer cells. Also it was aimed to examine the changes in viability and mobility of the cells after exogenously specific lectin treatment. Materials and Methods: In this study, the presence of terminal sugar residues in glycan chains on the cell surface was demonstrated using lectin histochemistry and lectin blotting techniques in TPC-1 cells. The changes in the cell viability and proliferation after lectin treatment were assessed using the WST-1 test. The Changes in the cell mobility after lectin treatment, however, were assessed using the wound healing test.  Results: α-2,3, α-2,6 sialic acid and α-1,6/α-1,2 fucose motifs were widespread in the surface of TPC-1 cells. MAL-II (Maackia amurensis Lectin II) treatment increased the cell proliferation and mobility of TPC-1 cells. Although SNA (Sambucus nigra Aglutinin) and AAL (Aleuria aurantia Lectin) treatment did not significantly affect the cell proliferation, SNA and AAL treatment supported the mobility of TPC-1 cells. Conclusion: Lectin treatment affect cancerous properties differently depending on the cell type. Also lectin treatment can support the malignant behaviour of cancer. For this reason, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms of the lectin effect on the cancer cells.