Neutrophil Cathepsin G, but Not Elastase, Induces Aggregation of MCF-7 Mammary Carcinoma Cells by a Protease Activity-Dependent Cell-Oriented Mechanism
Figure 5
Effect of PMSF treatment against protease-treated FN-coated wells on the induction of MCF-7 cell aggregation. (a) Experimental scheme. Cathepsin G or elastase was added to FN-coated wells as indicated. After 24 h of incubation, the wells were treated without or with PMSF (4 mM) at 37°C for 1 h. Then, MCF-7 cells suspended in 1% BSA-medium were seeded and incubated for 24 h. The cell aggregation index was evaluated as described in the legend of Figure 2. (b) Open columns: without PMSF treatment (vehicle control); filled columns: with PMSF treatment. The results are expressed as the mean (). Asterisk indicates that the values are significantly different according to the Student’s t-test (). (c) Images of MCF-7 cells at 24 h after cultivation in protease/PMSF-treated FN-coated wells. Original magnification: ×100.
