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Transfer of Tumor Cells between Cell Aggregates as a Model for Adhesive Changes in Metastasis¹

Genetics Unit, Children's Service, Massachusetts General Hospital [J. N. U., R. W. E.], and Department of Pediatrics and Center for Human Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114 [R. W. E.]

A model for cell detachment which may influence metastasis in vivo is described involving the transfer of hamster melanoma cells from aggregates of those tumor cells to hamster fibroblast aggregates. The aggregates were made by the spontaneous association of cultured cells. Tumor and fibroblast aggregates were then incubated together but separated by a nylon net that allowed only single cells to pass. Melanoma cells rapidly separated from the tumor aggregates, crossed the net, and attached to the fibroblast aggregates, but fibroblast cells did not. This model of metastasis reflects the postulated role of cell-to-cell adhesion in metastasis and will allow further study of the role of cell attachments in metastasis.

¹ Supported by Research Grants CA16838 and HD06356 from the NIH and a donation in memory of David and Rose Jacobs.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

Received 7/28/78. Accepted 3/ 2/79.