The role of hyaluronan in mesothelium-induced motility of ovarian carcinoma cells.

Background: Ovarian carcinoma metastases occur when the malignant cells establish new colonies on the peritoneal surface. This study was undertaken to determine whether mesothelial cell hyaluronan affects tumor cell motility.
Materials and Methods: Four ovarian carcinoma cell lines (UCI 101, UCI 107, OC 222 and NIH:OVCAR-3) were allowed to migrate toward cultures of mesothelial cells and different concentrations of hyaluronan. Mesothelial hyaluronan production in the presence of the ovarian carcinoma cells was assayed.
Results: The carcinoma lines showed greater motility toward mesothelial cells than controls, but the increased motility was abolished by hyaluronidase. Co-cultures of mesothelial cells and ovarian carcinoma cell lines produced up to twice as much hyaluronan as mesothelial cells alone. Purified hyaluronan induced dose-dependent and chemotactic motility in all carcinoma lines.
Conclusion: These results are evidence that mesothelial hyaluronan is a potential paracrine motility factor for ovarian carcinoma. The presence of mesothelial cells on the peritoneal cavity may encourage the establishment of ovarian carcinoma metastases.