Natural killer T cell ligand alpha-galactosylceramide inhibited lymph nodemetastasis of highly metastatic melanoma cells

Authors
Nakui, M Iwakabe, K Ohta, A Sekimoto, M Sato, M Makuuchi, H Kawano, T Taniguchi, M Nishimura, T
Citation
M. Nakui et al., Natural killer T cell ligand alpha-galactosylceramide inhibited lymph nodemetastasis of highly metastatic melanoma cells, JPN J CANC, 90(8), 1999, pp. 801-804
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Onconogenesis & Cancer Research
Journal title
JAPANESE JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH
ISSN journal
09105050 → ACNP
Volume
90
Issue
8
Year of publication
1999
Pages
801 - 804
Database
ISI
SICI code
0910-5050(199908)90:8<801:NKTCLA>2.0.ZU;2-9
Abstract
The role of natural killer T (NKT) cells in the prevention of multiple tumo r metastasis was examined. The i.v. inoculation of a highly metastatic subl ine of B16-BL6 (B16-BL6-HM) melanoma cells resulted in the formation of met astatic nodules in lymph nodes in addition to lung, intrapleural cavity, an d ovary. However, treatment of the mice with the NKT cell ligand alpha-gala ctosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) three times from 1 day after B16-BL6-HM melan oma inoculation caused a significant inhibition of multiple metastasis. Lym ph node metastasis of B16-BL6-HM was almost completely blocked by a-GalCer treatment. This antimetastatic effect of alpha-GalCer was abolished in NKT cell-deficient mice. These results suggest that alpha-GalCer-activated NKT cells played a critical role in the prevention of lymph node metastasis of melanoma cells.