BACKGROUND: Over-expression of transferrin receptor (TfR) is a common feature of human malignancies. Therapeutic strategies designed to interfere with tumor iron metabolism have targeted TfR. In previous studies, our laboratory successfully constructed the human-mouse chimeric antibody against TfR and it displayed a tumor-specificity distribution, and has a strong anti-tumor effect. We also found that there were still some limitations to anti-tumor effect in vivo. Oxygen and iron have a very tight relationship, and hypoxia is considered a fundamentally important characteristic of the tumor microenvironment. To exploit the target molecule TfR more rationally and effectively, we were prompted to explore TfR expression under hypoxia. OBJECTIVE: To examine the expressing alteration of TfR of human melanoma A375 cell line under hypoxia at various time points (0, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 h). DESIGN: The expressing alteration of TfR of A375 cell line under hypoxia at various time points (0, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 h) was assayed by flow cytometry, real-time RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Hypoxia has dual effect on the expression of TfR in human melanoma A375 cell line. CONCLUSIONS: These findings may have important implications for more rational, individualized gene-based therapy using TfR as target receptor in melanoma.
BACKGROUND: Over-expression of transferrin receptor (TfR) is a common feature of humanmalignancies. Therapeutic strategies designed to interfere with tumoriron metabolism have targeted TfR. In previous studies, our laboratory successfully constructed the human-mouse chimeric antibody against TfR and it displayed a tumor-specificity distribution, and has a strong anti-tumor effect. We also found that there were still some limitations to anti-tumor effect in vivo. Oxygen and iron have a very tight relationship, and hypoxia is considered a fundamentally important characteristic of the tumor microenvironment. To exploit the target molecule TfR more rationally and effectively, we were prompted to explore TfR expression under hypoxia. OBJECTIVE: To examine the expressing alteration of TfR of humanmelanoma A375 cell line under hypoxia at various time points (0, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 h). DESIGN: The expressing alteration of TfR of A375 cell line under hypoxia at various time points (0, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 h) was assayed by flow cytometry, real-time RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS:Hypoxia has dual effect on the expression of TfR in humanmelanoma A375 cell line. CONCLUSIONS: These findings may have important implications for more rational, individualized gene-based therapy using TfR as target receptor in melanoma.