In vitro selection and characterization of highly invasive tumor cells from A431 cell line

It was reported previously that not all of primary tumor possesses
metastatic ability, and only about 0.1 percent tumor cells display higher
invasive potential. How to isolate and identify these high invasive cells from
primary tumor cells became an important issue in this field. Cell invasion is a
fundamental component of tumor cell metastasis. In this study we use in vitro
invasion assay appartus to select higher invasive carcinoma cells. The assay
was performed by A431 P tumor cells on a porous membrane coated with
matrix, after which the cell invading the matrix were collected (designated
A431 I) and subcultured. The same assay was repeated until the A431 III was
obtained.
We then explore whether the A431 III has higher invasive potential. First,
using gelatin zymography, we observed that A431 III secreted higher amounts
of MMP-9 than that of A431 P. Secondly, using wound healing assay, cell
attachment and spreading experiment. We observed that A431 III exhibit
higher motility potential as well. This data suggest that A431 III possesses
higher metastatic potential and FAK might play important role in regulate of
cell motility and invasion.