Effects of Laminins 332 and 411 on the Epithelial—Mesenchymal Status of Colorectal Cancer Cells

Abstract

The effects of laminins 332 and 411 (LM-332 and LM-411) on the epithelial—mesenchymal transformation of colorectal cancer cells (lines HT-29, HCT-116, and RKO) with different metastatic potential were studied. Culturing of RKO cells on both laminins was associated with modification of the cell shape, which became more spindle-like or stellate, and with higher expression of EMT-associated transcription factors SNAI1 and ZEB1. In addition, culturing on LM-332 led to a decrease in the expression of laminin α5 chain (LAMA5), while culturing on LM-411 led to an increase in the expression of a cell—cell junction component (DSP). Culturing of HT-29 cells on LM-332 was associated with the formation of more close contacts between the cells and by a higher expression of epithelial markers (CDH1 and DSP genes) and a decrease in SNAI1 expression. Culturing of HCT-116 cells on both laminins led to a decrease in FN1 expression, on LM-332 — to an increase in laminin α4 chain (LAMA4) expression, and on LM-411 — to a lesser expression of LAMA4 and transcription factors SNAI2 and ZEB1. These data indicated that colorectal cancer cell adhesion to laminins contributed to the probability of epithelial—mesenchymal transformation of cells. The direction of this transformation seemed to depend on the initial characteristics of the cells.