Interferon-β gene transfer inhibits melanoma cells adhesion and migration

We evaluated the effects of expression of interferon-beta (IFN beta) after lipofection on melanoma cells adhesion and migration. Three canine mucosal (Ak, Br and Ol) and one human dermal (SB2) melanomas were assayed. By means of the wound healing assay, we found a significant inhibitory effect of canine IFN beta gene expression on cells migration in Br and Ol monolayers. This effect could be reproduced on unlipo-fected Ol cells with conditioned culture media obtained from canine IFN beta gene-lipofected Ol cells, and with recombinant human IFN beta on unlipofected SB2 cells. Furthermore, IFN beta gene expression of the four tested tumor cells significantly inhibited their adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and their spreading from multicellular spheroids onto gelatin coating. The addition of catalase reverted the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Ol cells and the inhibition of cell migration in monolayers (Ol) and spheroids (Ol an SB2) produced by canine and human IFN beta expression, suggesting the involvement of ROS as mediators of IFN beta action on the cells interactions with ECM. Together with its known immune, antiangiogenic and cytotoxic effects, the present data strongly support more studies exploring the clinical potential of IFN beta for cancer therapy. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.