FIGURE 5.

Relationship between uPAR expression and phagocytosis in BCCs. Two breast cancer cell lines (BCCs) viz. MCF7 and MDA-MB231 (in order of increasing invasiveness) and a normal cell line MCF10A were characterized for uPAR and β5 expression. a, protein expression was assessed by Western blotting. Note that in MDA-MB231 cells the major β5-integrin band runs as a faster migrating form. b and c, expression at the cell surface was analyzed by antibody staining of live cells followed by flow cytometric analysis. d, phagocytosis assay was performed by co-culturing MCF10A, MCF7, and MDA-MB231 cells with apoptotic T-cells for 2 h and analyzed by flow cytometry. e, MDA-MB231 cells were treated with vehicle or 8 units/ml PIPLC, and the reduction in the level of cell surface uPAR was assessed by antibody staining of live cells followed by flow cytometry. f, phagocytosis assay was carried out by co-culturing MDA-MB231 cells pre-treated with 8 units/ml PIPLC with apoptotic Jurkat cells for 15 min and 1 h in a phagocyte:apoptotic cell ratio of 1:5. Phagocytosis was compared with both PBS-treated and vehicle-treated cells. Asterisk, p < 0.05.