Heparan sulphate epitope-expression is associated with the inflammatory response in metastatic malignant melanoma

• Heparan sulphate (HS) represents a heterogeneous class of molecules on cell membranes and extracellular matrices. These molecules are involved in a variety of biological processes, including immune responses, through their binding and functional modulation of proteins. Recently a panel of HS-epitope-specific, human single chain antibodies have been generated by phage display, facilitating analysis of the structural heterogeneity of HS in relation to pathological conditions. In a pilot study a heterogeneous staining pattern in melanoma metastases was observed with one of the clones (EW4G1). Using a double-staining technique, the expression of this epitope was studied in 12 metastatic melanoma lesions in relation to the presence of a CD3 + cell infiltrate. Different staining patterns with EW4G1 were observed in the different lesions. The different staining patterns were associated with the presence and pattern of inflammation with CD3+ cells. A pronounced staining pattern of blood vessels with EW4G1 was associated with a more or less brisk presence of CD3+ cells, while a pronounced staining of tumour cells or tumour cell matrix or absence of staining with EW4G1 was associated with absence of CD3+ cells. These results suggest a dualistic role for HS in the recruitment and intratumoural migration of CD3+ cells, depending on the location of expression of its epitope recognized by EW4G1. Further characterization of the structural diversity of HS and its function in T-cell recruitment and migration is therefore warranted, since detailed understanding of this relation may provide new targets for therapeutic intervention, such that better homing and migration of T cells (in)to tumours might be achieved in immunologically based treatment strategies.

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