Observation of the invasion of retinoblastoma cells to the corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes in culture

OBJECTIVE: To study the invasive ability of retinoblastoma cells into the corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes in culture. METHODS: SO-Rb50 cells of retinoblastoma, corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes were co-cultured. The morphological changes of SO-Rb50 cells adherent to the corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes were observed. The distribution of proteoglycans in the SO-Rb50 cells, corneal cells and keratocytes was analyzed by histochemical method and electron microscopy. RESULTS: SO-Rb50 cells could adhere to the keratocytes, but did not adhere to the corneal epithelial cells. There are common hyaluronidase-resistant and chondroitinase-resistant proteoglycans on the surface of SO-Rb50 cells and corneal epithelial cells. Chondroitin is present on the surface of keratocytes. CONCLUSION: It is considered that the cell surface proteoglycans may play an important role in mediating SO-Rb50 tumor cell adhesion and non-adhesion to normal cells.