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Reduction in Cellular Adhesiveness upon Contact with a Carcinogen^*

( Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa.)

In the experiments reported below, the inner aspects of the pinnae of rabbits' ears were treated for 1 hour with the carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene, 1 per cent in acetone. Other ears were treated with the noncarcinogen anthracene in acetone, and still other ears were left untreated. Discs of skin were removed from these ears, and the relative adhesiveness of the epidermal cells was determined by mechanical shaking and cell counts. It was shown that exposure to the carcinogen resulted in a decreased adhesiveness of the epidermal cells, suggesting that an alteration of the cell surface had occurred within 1 hour after contact with the carcinogen. The findings are discussed and further studies suggested.

^* This research was supported by grant No. C-3562 from the National Institutes of Health, United States Public Health Service.

Received 3/16/60.