In vitro Antiproliferative Effect of Helix aspersa Hemocyanin on Multiple Malignant Cell Lines

Abstract

As an extension of our studies on the antitumour properties of various hemocyanins, we sought to compare the antiproliferative effects of hemocyanins derived from two snail species: Helix lucorum (HlH) and Helix aspersa (HaH). This is the first report on the antitumour effects of HaH. We hypothesized that HaH has antitumour effects not only against bladder cancer, as previously shown with other hemocyanins, but also on other cancer cell lines. The antiproliferative properties of the mentioned hemocyanins were investigated in vitro on the following human cell lines: bladder cancer (CAL-29 and T-24), ovarian cancer (FraWü), acute monocytic leukemia (THP-1), prostate cancer (DU-145), glioma cancer (LN-18), and Burkitt’s lymphoma (Daudi). The properties of HaH were compared to those of HlH, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), and two positive controls (doxorubicin and mitomycin C). An antiproliferative effect of the total molecule and one structural subunit of HaH, bc-HaH, against both bladder cancer cell lines, T-24 and CAL-29, was observed. The cytotoxic effect of HaH ranged between 15% and 60% among the other tested cell lines. The endotoxin contamination did not affect the efficacy of HaH. Therefore, HlH and HaH could be appropriate for more detailed investigations of their use as antitumour agents for the studied cancers.

Cytotoxic Effects of Rapana venosa Hemocyanin on Bladder Cancer Permanent Cell Lines

“…Moreover, a slight inhibitory effect was observed after a 24 h treatment of CAL-29 cells with the subunits, RvH1 and RvH2 (18.01% and 15.53%, respectively). On contrary, no cytotoxic effects or stimulations were observed with the native molecules RvH and KLH [22,23].…”

“…Recently, different hemocyanins, KLH, Helix lucorum (HlH), RvH, and two of its structural subunits were studied for their antitumoral effects on CAL-29 and T-24 bladder cancer permanent cells [22,23]. Moreover, the mechanism of antitumor activity of HlH on CAL-29 and T-24 bladder cancer cell lines and the genes involved in this mechanism were also suggested [23].…”

“…Recently, different hemocyanins, KLH, Helix lucorum (HlH), RvH, and two of its structural subunits were studied for their antitumoral effects on CAL-29 and T-24 bladder cancer permanent cells [22,23]. Moreover, the mechanism of antitumor activity of HlH on CAL-29 and T-24 bladder cancer cell lines and the genes involved in this mechanism were also suggested [23]. Urothelial bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the Western society and will increase significantly in the future as a result of the increasing world pollution in developing countries [24].…”

“…One of the fundamental prerequisites for evaluation of a general principle of Hcs' cytotoxicity is first based on detailed structure determinations of these giant glycoproteins [19][20][21][22][23].…”

The effects of hemocyanin on T cells cultured in�vitro

“…Hemocyanin has exhibited excellent antimicrobial (15)(16)(17), anti-tumor (18) and immune enhancement effects (19). In the present study, hemocyanin was used as an additive in T cell culture in vitro.…”