Inhibitory effect of α-L-fucosidase on Lewis y antigen overexpressed human ovarian cancer cells in vitro.

Objective To study the effect of α-L-fucosidase on proliferation,adhesion and the membrane permeability of human ovarian cancer cell line with the overexpression of Lewis y antigen in vitro. Methods The ovarian cancer cells transfected with the α1,2-fucosyltransfersae gene were treated with α-L-fucosidase (RMG-I-H-A,RMG-I-A)or without treatment of α-L-fucosidase as controls(RMG-I-C, RMG-I-H-C). The expression of Lewis y antigen in the cells was detected by immunocytochemistry. The biological behaviors of the cells were analyzed by flow cytometry and fluorospectrophotometer. Results The RMG-I-H and RMG-I cells of experimental groups showed poor adhesive ability,slow growth rate,low proportion of the cells in mitotic phase,no extended growth,an oval/round appearance,a clear and even edge. The membrane permeability of the cells increased 4.4-fold and 2.3-fold compared with that of RMG-I-H-C and RMG-I-C cells,respectively. Conclusion The Lewis y antigen expression promotes the proliferation and the survival rate of ovarian carcinoma-derived RMG-I cells.