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Differences in Cell Surface Characteristics between Glucocorticoidsensitive and -resistant Mouse Lymphomas¹

Research Institute, Hospital for Joint Diseases, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10035 [U. J. B., L. T. M., J. S., V. P. H.], and Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, New York 10021 [N. L.]

The presence or absence of anionic sites on the cell surface was studied in corticoid-sensitive (CS) and -resistant (CR) P1798 lymphosarcoma as well as in CS and CR 6C3HED lymphoma by reaction with the cationic stain Alcian Blue 8GX. Examination by electron microscopy revealed dye complexes on cell surfaces of all CS tumors. Reaction product could be observed as an electron-dense coat of variable thickness on the outer leaflet of the cell membrane, indicating the presence of anionic sites. A small number of cells in CS populations lacked coat material. Cells from both CR tumors showed no or few scattered electron-opaque complexes on their surfaces, with the exception of a small number of cells that had a continuous cell coat. Possible charge-related differences in ultrastructural arrangement of cells in the intact tumor tissue and cell surface morphology of individual cells were investigated in P1798-CS and -CR. CR cells were frequently observed to adhere to each other by cytoplasmic bridges, whereas CS cells generally showed a looser arrangement with fewer contact sites. Scanning electron microscopy revealed smooth and moderately villous surfaces in both P1798-CS and -CR cell preparations. Approximately 45% of P1798-CR cells showed a prominent single protrusion, resulting in a pear or mushroom shape. Relatively few (11%) of such irregular patterns were seen in P1798-CS cell preparations. These observations suggest that corticoid sensitivity of lymphoid tumors is related to variations in cell membrane properties that are determined by negative surface charge.

¹ This investigation was supported by USPHS Research Grants CA-10064, CA-14194, and CA-08748, National Cancer Institute; and American Cancer Society Grant DT-31.

² The studies reported in this paper are presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree at the City University of New York.

³ Scholar, Leukemia Society of America.

⁴ To whom reprint requests should be addressed.

Received 6/13/74. Accepted 8/ 1/74.