Expression and function of autocrine motility factor receptor in human choriocarcinoma

Objective: Our purpose was to determine whether human choriocarcinoma cells express autocrine motility factor receptor (AMF-R) and to study its function in this tumor system. Study design: The expression and localization of AMF-R were compared in choriocarcinoma and normal placental trophoblasts using both cell lines and tissue sections, In addition, migratory properties of choriocarcinoma cells and normal placental cells was determined, Results: Using immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase staining, we have detected the expression of AMF-R in choriocarcinoma cells with receptor clustering on the cell surface, while term placenta cells expressed AMF-R less intensely with no receptor clustering, In choriocarcinoma tissues, AMF-R was strongly expressed in malignant cytotrophoblasts cells while adjacent normal villous trophoblast cells and necrotic regions were weakly or negatively stained, Choriocarcinoma cells responded to AMF-R stimulation with increased cell motility, while term placental cells were unresponsive. Conclusion: Human choriocarcinoma cells express functional cell surface AMF-R in vitro and in choriocarcinoma tissue suggesting that this receptor may play an important role in cancer cell motility. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.