N-cadherin expressed on malignant T cell lymphoma cells is functional, andpromotes heterotypic adhesion between the lymphoma cells and mesenchymal cells expressing N-cadherin

Cadherins are Ca2+-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules, and are involved in the formation and maintenance of the organocellular architecture. Using a combination of molecular biologic and biochemical methods, we analyzed c adherins expressed on cultured human malignant lymphoma cell lines (adult T cell lymphomas, human T cell leukemia virus type 1-negative T cell lines, and thymus-derived lymphoma cell lines), and obtained evidence that N-cadhe rin is the major cadherin expressed on these cells. These cells were found to form cell aggregates in a Ca2+-dependent manner, and more importantly to coaggregate and adhere with cells expressing N-cadherin, suggesting that N -cadherin on lymphoma cells is functionally active. Therefore, N-cadherin e xpressed on lymphoma cells could underlie the frequent invasion of these ce lls into the mesenchymal tissue in the skin and the central nervous system.