Production of plasminogen activator by established cell lines of mouse origin

Tumorigenicity of herpesvirus-transformed cells correlates with production of plasminogen activator

Our studies first demonstrated that established hamster cell lines transformed in vitro by herpesviruses activate plasminogen more effectively than normal hamster fibroblasts. This ability is probably due to increased levels of the enzyme plasminogen activator (PA). In the studies described here, the 333-8-9 cell line, originally transformed by herpes simplex virus type 2 strain 333, was used to derive subclonal lines that maintained stable PA phenotypes over the course of long in vitro passage. We were interested in correlating tumor formation by the subclones with their fibrinolytic capacity. Cells were, therefore, single-cell subcloned twice, and resulting cultures were tested for ability to activate plasminogen in vitro. PA activity was then quantitated by [125I]fibrin lysis assay, and high- and low-activity subclones were isolated; these retained high- or low-activity phenotypes. Syngeneic newborn hamsters were inoculated with these subclones and observed for the appearance of palpable tumors. A strong correlation between enzyme activity and tumor formation was observed in four separate trials; animals receiving high-PA subclones developed tumors more rapidly than those inoculated with the parental cell line. Tumors were also excised from test animals, and the cell lines established from the tumors were tested in vitro at different passages for their ability to activate plasminogen. These tumor cells were then reinoculated into syngeneic animals to confirm the tumorigenicity of cell lines with high fibrinolytic activity. In these experiments, the positive correlation between PA production and tumorigenicity was confirmed.

Inhibition of plasminogen activators and the growth of cultured human tumour cells

1. Inhibition of a human fibroblast cell-surface proteinase with alpha-1-antitrypsin also inhibited cell proliferation, confirming earlier observations. 2. Although a similar proteinase inhibition could be observed with human tumour cells, the growth of these cells was unaffected. 3. Plasminogen activators on the cell surface and in culture media could be inhibited with specific antibodies, but there was no corresponding effect on the growth of any of the cell types tested.

Plasminogen activators, plasminogen activator inhibitors and procoagulant analyzed in twenty human tumor cell lines

We have analyzed the CM of 20 human tumor cell lines for the presence of PA, PA-I and PC. Most of the cell lines expressed PA activity as measured by a radioiodinated fibrin plate assay. The urinary type and tissue-type PA activities were specifically quantified by means of purified inhibitory antibodies. U-PA and/or t-PA antigen, as measured by radioimmunoassays, were detected in all but 4 of the CM and were generally 10 times more concentrated than PA activity, indicating the presence of specific PA-Is. Analysis of CM by electrophoresis followed by fibrin-agarose zymography demonstrated the presence not only of free but also of inhibitor-complexed PA. Affinity purification demonstrated that 8/20 cell lines expressed detectable PA-I activity. The PA-I1 and PA-I2 inhibitors were most frequently observed, while PN was recovered only from CM of the HT1080 fibrosarcoma cell line. PC activity, as measured by the plasma recalcification time method, was found in 9/20 CM. It was of the thromboplastin tissue factor type since most of its activity was lost when assayed with a Factor VII-deficient plasma.

The significance of the fibrin/fibrinogen degradation product in serum of carcinoma patients with hematogenous metastasis

Fibrin/fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) was measured in 270 cases with various carcinomas. An elevation of FDP (5 micrograms/ml or more) was observed in 68 cases (25%). Of the 68 elevated FDP cases, 5 (82%) were inoperable or received nonradical resection. Forty of those 56 cases (71%) showed hematogenous metastasis. FDP in those cases which showed hematogenous metastasis was found to be due to fibrinolysis accompanied by consumption coagulopathy.

Heparin potentiation of 3T3-adipocyte stimulated angiogenesis: mechanisms of action on endothelial cells

We have examined the cellular mechanisms by which heparin potentiates the ability of 3T3-adipocytes to stimulate the formation of new blood vessels. Both anticoagulant and non-anticoagulant heparin species enhanced the angiogenic activity of adipocyte-secreted products in the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay, indicating that the angiotropic effect of this glycosaminoglycan is independent of its effect on the coagulation cascade. Heparin alone was unable to produce a neovascular response. The ability of heparin to modulate three endothelial functions in vitro thought to be related to angiogenesis were examined: protease activity, motility, and mitogenesis. Heparin caused a 100% increase in the adipocyte-induced stimulation of endothelial cell plasminogen activator activity and motility, but had no effect on proliferation. The enhancement of plasminogen activator and chemoattractant activities had a similar ED50 (1-2 micrograms/ml) and optimum dose (10-30 micrograms/ml). When we examined the direct effect of heparin on the activity of two distinct plasminogen activator enzymes--urokinase and tissue-type--a dual action of heparin was observed: tissue-type enzyme activity was stimulated 100% by heparin at 10 micrograms/ml, whereas urokinase activity was inhibited by 77% at this dose. These data suggest that heparin potentiates angiogenesis in vivo by stimulating endothelial cell plasminogen activator, motility, or both. Our results further suggest that for adipocyte-induced blood vessel formation, in contrast to other angiogenesis systems, heparin does not appear to affect the mitogenic activity.

Estrogen response of MCF-7 cells grown on diverse substrates and in suspension culture: promotion of morphological heterogeneity, modulation of progestin receptor induction; cell-substrate interactions on collagen gels

In this study we observed the incidence of hormone sensitivity in the response of MCF-7 cells to estrogen stimulation when the cells were cultured in different contact environments (hydrophilic plastic, bovine corneal extracellular matrix, type I collagen and in suspension culture). The major purpose was to describe the influence of cell to cell and cell to substrate contacts on the morphological response to estrogen treatment. However, other parameters including growth and induction of progestin receptor were also explored, keeping in mind that the MCF-7 cell line, although representative of normal mammary epithelium in that it contains a similar hormone receptivity, was selected in vitro from a metastatic population in a pleural effusion. Although substrate conditions did not modify growth enhancement by estrogens, progestin receptor levels were significantly higher in three-dimensional spheroid cultures in which cell to cell contacts were optimal due to elimination of basal contact. A careful morphological survey of large surfaces lead to an objective opinion of the overall effect of the hormone treatment on the non-cloned cell line in which a marked heterogeneity in the response of individual cells was observed. In terms of morphofunctional differentiation, the edification of acini with dense microvillus coating was best in suspension culture. When sections were made perpendicular to the plane of cultures on collagen gel rafts two other phenomena were noted: decrease in intercellular junctions, resulting in reduced cell to cell cohesion, and accumulation biodegradation products in the collagen lattice. This suggested a hormone-mediated interaction between the metastatic cells and the fibrillar substrate, collagen I, one of the major constituents of tissue stroma. This estrogen response might be related to the metastatic phenotype and must be distinct from their hormone sensitivity in terms of growth and differentiation since hormone receptivity is generally considered to be a favorable prognosis for breast cancer.

Plasminogen activator and cancer

Plasminogen activator is a protease which catalyses the conversion of the inactive plasminogen to the active plasmin. Most transformed cell lines and solid tumors produce elevated levels of plasminogen activator compared with nontransformed counterparts. This increased synthesis of plasminogen activator may play a role in tumorigenesis, cancer invasion and metastasis. Measurement of plasminogen activator in tumor extracts and body fluids may provide diagnostic and prognostic information. Finally, since plasminogen activator is an estradiol-inducible enzyme, its measurement in breast carcinomas might be a marker for a functional estrogen receptor.

Problems in the bioassay of products from cultured HEK cells: plasminogen activator

For research and commercial purposes, the production of materials from cultured cells is progressively becoming routine. Measuring products in cell culture medium, however, is not always straight-forward even when the most appropriate product assays are utilized. A researcher interested in a particular cell product does not intend to spend time developing or refining existing assays. Instead, he would prefer using techniques and standards reported in the literature. Evaluations of enzyme activity using purified standards or control products may inadvertently lead to the assumption that the same procedures will give reproducible results when cell culture medium is assayed for the product. This report describes the selection of commercially available lots of human embryonic kidney cells and the activity of the plasminogen activator (PA) produced by these cells. PA activity was measured by the fibrin plate assay. The problems of comparing activity in conditioned culture medium with that of purified standard preparations are presented. Factors contributing to non-linearity in dose response curves, inconsistencies in activity in replicate flask cultures, and variations in repeated assays after sample storage are considered. Sample handling procedures and alternate assay systems are discussed.

Spreading of non-transformed and transformed cells

Mechanisms of cellular reactions responsible for the spreading of non-transformed cultured tissue cells on the surface of various substrata and relationships of these reactions to the control of cell proliferation are reviewed; the special role of the membrane-cytoskeleton interactions leading to extension and attachment of pseudopods is stressed. Transition of cells from non-transformed to transformed phenotype is characterized by decreased spreading and by decreased dependence of proliferation on spreading. Manifestations of both of these spreading-associated changes are reviewed and their possible mechanisms are discussed. It is suggested that cell transition to transformed phenotype involves shift of an equilibrium between the reactions induced by the two groups of membrane-bound ligands: those attached and those not attached to the substratum.

Establishment and characterization of chicken embryo fibroblast clone LSCC-H32

Cell line CEC-32 and clone LSCC-H32 were established from primary chicken embryo cells spontaneously but not experimentally transformed at 32 degrees C. The lines consisted of fibroblastoid and polygonal cells and had a subtetraploid karyotype of 2N = 130 to 140. The cells showed increased plating efficiency and metabolic activities as demonstrated by hexose uptake and plasminogen activator assay. The established cells produced avian lymphoid leukosis viruses of subgroups A and B. The virus released from LSCC-H32 cells induced lymphoid leukosis in inoculated chickens 18 to 22 wk post infection (PI). The cells have been carried in continuous culture for 285 passages and they appeared to grow indefinitely. They were efficiently used to propagate several animal viruses and to titrate chicken interferon.

Interference with dimethylhydrazine induction of colon tumors in mice by epsilon-aminocaproic acid

The antifibrinolytic agent epsilon-aminocaproic acid given in the drinking water to Swiss ICR/Ha mice significantly counteracted the appearance of colorectal tumors induced by 21 weekly infections of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine. The drug affected both the number and the location of the tumors and, in some animals, altogether prevented their appearance. The low concentrations of epsilon-aminocaproic acid in the plasma of four control mice given the agent labeled with carbon-14 for 3 days suggest that the effect may depend not on inhibition of plasminogen activator activity, but on interference with the binding of some substance to the strong lysine binding site of plasminogen.

Clonal variation in cultured neuroblastoma cells. I. Isolation and characterization of variants

Two spontaneously arising variant clones were selected from the N18 neuroblastoma cell line solely on the basis of their flattened morphology and tight adherence to the culture flask. Two other clones having the round loosely adherent morphology typical of the parent line were also selected, and flat variants were shown to arise in them upon prolonged cultivation. The flat variant clones have slower growth rates in culture, lower cloning efficiencies in suspension, and reduced acetylcholinesterase inducibility when compared with either the parent N18 line or the round cell clones. Cells of both morphologic types have high levels of plasminogen activator and are tumorigenic, although the variants have a slower growth rate in vivo, consistent with their slower growth rate in culture. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of total protein from the two cell types shows that the flat variants have increased amounts of a 200,000 molecular weight polypeptide that has tentatively been identified as the heavy chain of myosin. Round morphological revertants from one of the flat variant clones exhibited growth characteristics typical of the parent N18 line, but their content of myosin heavy chain, although reduced, was not so low as that in the round cell clones originally isolated. The possibility of a causal relationship between flat morphology, reduced suspension cloning efficiency, and increased content of myosin heavy chain is discussed.

Induction of plasminogen activator synthesis by antibodies

We have purified the immunoglobulins (IgG) from rabbit antisera raised against two cell lines--LLC-PK1 derived from pig kidney and from Kirsten sarcoma virus-transformed BALB/3T3--and have studied the effects of IgG on cultures of the respective target cells. The following observations were made with both cell types: (a) The addition of purified IgG produced a rapid change in morphology within 2 h. This consisted of cell rounding, agglutination, and detachment from the surface of the dish. (b) Beginning approximately 2 h after IgG addition there was a progressive rise in plasminogen activator production for 24--36 h. (c) Both the morphological change and the induction of plasminogen activator (PA) synthesis were reversible and required the continued presence of IgG for their maintenance. The increase in PA production, but not morphological change, depended on genetic transcription and translation, being inhibited by actinomycin and/or cycloheximide. (d). These effects of IgG were specific: they were not observed with preimmune or indifferent IgG and occurred only after interaction between an IgG preparation from antisera and the cells used to generate the particular antiserum. The divalent IgG fragments F(ab')2 retained fully the activities of the native IgG molecules from which they were derived.

Expression of the catalytic activity of plasminogen activator under physiologic conditions

We have investigated the factors governing the plasminogen-dependent fibrinolysis catalyzed by the serine proteinase, plasminogen activator (EC 3.4.21.-), under physiologic conditions. We found that live rabbit fibroblasts digested much less fibrin than predicted by cell-free assay of the secreted plasminogen activator. The reduced catalytic activity of plasminogen activator expressed by cells growing on fibrin was regulated by the salt concentration of culture medium. The plasminogen activators of cells from several mammalian species were inhibited by physiologic salt concentrations (0.15 M NaCl) in cell-free assays. CaCl2 and KCl, but not D-glucose, were also effective inhibitors. The catalytic activity of purified human urokinase and of plasmin was unaffected by increased ionic strength. Plasminogen activators secreted both spontaneously and in response to stimulation by the tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate, were inhibited by 0.15 M NaCl. Physiologic salt concentration appeared to function by interacting with plasminogen activator, or plasminogen, and a third component, possibly a reversible inhibitor. One consequence of this regulation of plasminogen activator under physiologic conditions is the limitation of plasminogen-dependent fibrin degradation by living cells.

Tumorigenicity of herpesvirus-transformed cells correlates with production of plasminogen activator

Our studies first demonstrated that established hamster cell lines transformed in vitro by herpesviruses activate plasminogen more effectively than normal hamster fibroblasts. This ability is probably due to increased levels of the enzyme plasminogen activator (PA). In the studies described here, the 333-8-9 cell line, originally transformed by herpes simplex virus type 2 strain 333, was used to derive subclonal lines that maintained stable PA phenotypes over the course of long in vitro passage. We were interested in correlating tumor formation by the subclones with their fibrinolytic capacity. Cells were, therefore, single-cell subcloned twice, and resulting cultures were tested for ability to activate plasminogen in vitro. PA activity was then quantitated by [125I]fibrin lysis assay, and high- and low-activity subclones were isolated; these retained high- or low-activity phenotypes. Syngeneic newborn hamsters were inoculated with these subclones and observed for the appearance of palpable tumors. A strong correlation between enzyme activity and tumor formation was observed in four separate trials; animals receiving high-PA subclones developed tumors more rapidly than those inoculated with the parental cell line. Tumors were also excised from test animals, and the cell lines established from the tumors were tested in vitro at different passages for their ability to activate plasminogen. These tumor cells were then reinoculated into syngeneic animals to confirm the tumorigenicity of cell lines with high fibrinolytic activity. In these experiments, the positive correlation between PA production and tumorigenicity was confirmed.

Studies on the control of plasminogen activator production by cultured human embryonic lung cells: requirements for inhibition by corticosteroids

The ability of actinomycin D to interfere with the dexamethasone-mediated inhibition of plasminogen activator (PA) production by human-embryonic lung (HuEL) cells has been examined. The enzyme produced by HuEL cells in the presence of both dexamethasone and actinomycin D appears to be the product of de novo protein synthesis, as determined by the dependence of PA production on active protein synthesis and the net increase in total PA during the course of an experiment. Inhibition of RNA synthesis must be continuous to maintain PA production in the presence of dexamethasone, since reinitiation of RNA synthesis causes an immediate loss of PA activity in the cells. Cordycepin and alpha-amanitin also prevent dexamethasone-mediated inhibition of PA in HuEL cells, indicating that the RNA whose synthesis must be prevented is of the mRNA class. These experiments imply that PA production in HuEL cells may be under translational as well as transcriptional control.

Plasminogen activator synthesis accompanying chemical carcinogen-induced in vitro transformation of Syrian hamster and guinea-pig fetal cells

The production of the extracellular protease, plasminogen activator, in relationship to growth in semi-solid medium and tumorigenicity has been studied in Syrian hamster embryo and strain 2 guinea-pig embryo cell culture models of chemical carcinogenesis. Whereas normal hamster and guinea-pig embryo cells had negligible levels of plasminogen activator, neoplastically transformed cells derived from cultures exposed to chemical carcinogens had high levels of plasminogen activator and grew as progressively enlarging colonies in soft agar. The development of plasminogen activator secretion in relation to neoplastic transformation was further studied in the guinea-pig cells where the latent period between carcinogen exposure and neoplastic transformation ranged from 4 months to more than one year. The production of plasminogen activator in this system also exhibited a long latent period, and acquisition of extracellular plasminogen activator correlated temporally with growth in agar and tumorigenicity. Plasminogen activator and growth in semi-solid agar in concert are useful markers for identification of neoplastic cells transformed in culture following exposure to a chemical carcinogen.

Differences in pattern and level of plasminogen activator production between a cloned cell line from an ethylnitrosourea-induced glioma and one from normal adult rat brain

The production of plasminogen activator (PA) by two cloned cell lines, one from an ethylnitrosourea-induced glioma (A15A5) and the other from normal adult rat brain (ARBO C9), has been investigated. Three assays were used to detect and measure PA in harvest fluids, cells and cell lysates. Similar levels were detected in harvest fluids from both cell lines. However, the cell and lysate assays indicated much higher levels in the tumor line. When actively growing cells were compared A15A5 cells had approximately 16X more fibrinolytic activity than the control cells with a limit of detection in the order of 10(3) cells or 1 microgram protein (cell lysate). In contrast for the control cells PA could only be detected when upwards of 10(4) cells or 5-10 micrograms protein were assayed. Plaminogen activator in as few as 10(3) tumor cells could be detected in the presence of 10(4) non-tumor cells. Plasminogen activator in 26 micrograms protein of A15A5 cell lysate could also be detected in the presence of 44 micrograms protein from ARBO C9 lysates indicating no inhibitory activity in the control cell lysates. Levels of PA in both harvest fluids and cell lysates were determined as cultures progressed through the growth cycle. For cell lysates this showed a build-up of PA in the normal cell line as the cells approached and attained confluence. A much higher level was measured in the tumor cells soon after seeding and maintained to confluence. No differences in growth cycle-associated changes in secreted PA could be determined in harvest fluids: both cell lines showing similar levels at confluence.

Transformation phenotype of polyoma virus-transformed rat fibroblasts: plasminogen activator production is modulated by the growth state of the cells and regulated by the expression of an early viral gene function

The expression of two transformation parameters, namely, ability to grow in agar and plasminogen activator production, was studied in several rat fibroblasts transformed by either wild-type or thermo-sensitive (tsa and ts25) polyoma viruses. The production of plasminogen activator was found to be dependent upon the growth state of the infected cells during a period of several days after infection. The analysis of the transformed phenotype of 25 tsa transformants and of 19 ts25 transformants independently isolated under various growth conditions led to the conclusion that there is no correlation between the regulation processes involved in plasminogen activator production and ability to grow without anchorage. The results obtained also suggested that the production of plasminogen activator is under the control of a functional large T antigen.

Phenotype of polyoma-induced hamster tumor cells lines

Cell lines from polyoma-induced hamster tumors exhibit a fully transformed phenotype despite the absence of the 105K (105,000-dalton) form of polyoma T-antigen.

Transformation of primary hamster brain cells with JC virus and its DNA

We transformed primary hamster brain cells with four isolates of JC virus and JC virus DNA. Several properties of these transformants were characterized and compared to those of simian virus 40 transformants isolated under identical conditions.

Transformation of rat embryo fibroblasts by cloned polyoma virus DNA fragments containing only part of the early region

Recombinant plasmids containing either the entire polyoma viral genome or one or the other of the two HindIII fragments of polyoma virus DNA were constructed and cloned in Escherichia coli X1776, and their DNAs were individually tested for the capacity to transform an established line of rat cells. The recombinant plasmids containing the entire polyoma genome and those containing the HindIII-1 fragment of polyoma DNA (45-1.4 map units) efficiently transform rat cells, whereas the plasmids containing the HindIII-2 fragment (1.4-45.0 map units) do not. The properties of many independent transformed cell lines established by infection with the cloned HindIII-1 fragment were determined. In contrast to the parent cell line, rat cells transformed with the cloned HindIII-1 fragment grow to high saturation densities, form colonies with high efficiency in dilute agar suspension, produce high levels of plasminogen activator, and display a disorganized arrangement of actin cables. By all criteria examined, these cells transformed by fragments are indistinguishable from cells transformed by whole polyoma viral DNA. Cellular DNA prepared from many HindIII-1 fragment-transformed cell lines was analyzed for the presence and arrangement of polyoma viral sequences by Southern blot-hybridization. In all cases examined, only those viral sequences contained within the HindIII-1 fragment of polyoma DNA were detected. These data establish a strong correlation between polyoma DNA sequences mapping within a restricted portion of the early region and the induction and maintenance of the transformed phenotype.

Distinct transformation phenotypes induced by polyoma virus and simian virus 40 in rat fibroblasts and their control by an early viral gene function

Several transformed cell lines established from Fisher rat cells (FR 3T3) infected with wild-type polyoma virus or simian virus 40 or early temperature-sensitive mutants (polyoma tsa and simian virus 40 tsA30) were studied for their transformation phenotypes. The distinct patterns which were obtained for polyoma and simian virus 40 transformants led to the conclusion that these two viruses express different transforming abilities in rat cells. The results obtained with temperature-sensitive mutant-derived transformants indicate that all of the transformation characteristics studied so far may be under the control of a viral function in polyoma tsa-transformed cells.

Tumor promoters induce changes in the chick embryo fibroblast cytoskeleton

We have examined the effect of the tumor promoter, 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), on the actin-containing elements of the cytoskeleton of chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF). TPA at concentrations as low as 7.3 times 10-10M indices a reversible change in the cytoskeleton as visualized by indirect immunofluorescence using anti-actin antibodies. Cells incubated with TPA lose the ordered actin-containing structures found in normal cells and resemble Rous sarcoma virus-transformed cells in that the immunofluorescent actin pattern is diffuse. The TPA effects are both dose-and time-dependent. Analogs of TPA which are inactive as tumor promoters do not induce cytoskeletal changes at the concentrations tested, while a second tumor promoter, PDD, is also able to cause alterations in actin-containing structures. The action of TPA requires de novo synthesis of both RNA and protein. The direct cytoskeletal changes are neither plasmin-dependent nor subject to inhibition by incubating the cells with high levels of protease inhibitors during the exposure to TPA. However, plasminogen does increase the sensitivity of cells to TPA.

Studies on the mechanism of Ca2+ stimulation of plasminogen activator synthesis/release by Swiss 3T3 cells

Stimulation of postconfluent Swiss 3T3 cells in serum-free medium with 4.3 mM Ca2+ results in marked increases in both released and cell-associated plasminogen activator (PA). Increased release of PA commenced approximately 10 to 12 hours post-stimulation and continued to increase steadily until 48 hours at which time the stimulates cells (4.3 mM Ca2+) released approximately 14 times more PA than control cells (1.8 mM Ca2+). Sr2+, like Ca2+, also stimulates PA synthesis/release either in the presence or in the absence of 1.8 mM Ca2+ whereas an excess of Mg2+ inhibits Ca2+ stimulation. Supranormal [Pi] in the medium stimulates PA synthesis/release in the presence of 1.8 mM mM Ca2+. Further, optimal stimulation by 4.3 mM Ca2+ requires a normal level of Pi (1.0 mM). Elevation of medium [Ca2+] or [Pi] results in an enhanced uptake of Ca2+. The facts that cycloheximide treatment completely abolishes the Ca2+ stimulatory effect and that an increase in cell associated PA precedes release indicate that PA release is coupled to synthesis of new PA. Ca2+ stimulation of PA synthesis/release also requires continuous energy production and RNA as well as protein synthesis. A hypothesis is proposed to explain the relationship between stimulation of PA production and its enhanced release from cells stimulated by elevated [Ca2+] or [Pi] in the media. The possibility that PA release may be an example of the phenomenon of membrane shedding as opposed to secretion is discussed.

Proteolytic enzymes in normal and transformed cells

Virally transformed cells show an increased production of proteolytic enzymes. These might be involved in transformation-dependent alterations of cell surface glycoproteins. The possibility arises that some of these proteases might be membrane-bound. To investigate this possibility, we have undertaken a comparative study of the reactivity of intact normal and transformed cells with the tritium labelled protease inhibitor diisopropylfluorophosphate, in parallel with fibrinolytic assays. Using these two approaches in concert, it was possible to identify and localize in the transformed cells several proteases which were present in the particulate cell fraction and were probably membrane bound. In particular, a diisopropylfluorophosphate-reactive polypeptide of 62,000 was increased 5--8-fold on transformation. It comigrated with a fibrinolytic activity. Other particle-bound activities were also detected. While diisopropylfluorophosphate-labelling can be useful for detecting proteases inside cells, it does not appear to be specific for surface proteases.

Noncoordinate expression of SV40-induced transformation and tumorigenicity in mouse cell hybrids

Somatic mouse cells hybrids formed by fusion of nontumorigenic 3T3 closely related SV40-transformed SVT2 cells were analyzed in a study designed to probe the genetic basis of the multiple phenotypic changes induced by SV40 transformation. These hybrids showed noncoordinate expression of the transformation phenotype. Although they cloned at high efficiency in medium with low serum and expressed the SV40 T-antigen of the SVT2 parent, hybrid cells grew poorly without anchorage and exhibited a cell and colony morphology intermediate between that of the parents. Tumorigenicity was assayed quantitatively by subcutaneous coinjection into athymic nude mice of serial dilutions of 10(2) to 10(5) hybrid cells with 10(7) lethally irradiated 3T3 cells. The results showed that 100--1000 times more hybrid cells had to be injected for tumor formation than were required with SVT2. These and other observations show that most 3T3/SVT2 hybrid cells are not tumorigenic but that each population contains a rare subset of tumorigenic cells.

Properties of epithelial cells cultured from human carcinomas and nonmalignant tissues

Human epithelial cell cultures were examined for expression of plasminogen activator and fibronectin matrix. All of the cells examined showed ultrastructural evidence suggesting their epithelial origin, including microvilli and specialized junctions. The nonmalignant cells were also negative for endothelial cell markers (ie. they lacked factor VIII antigen, a nonthrombogenic surface and Weibel-Palade bodies). The nonmalignant lines all produced large amounts of plasminogen activator, whereas the tumor-derived lines showed a gradation of activities, ranging from lines having as much activity as the nonmalignant lines to lines having little or no activity above background. For both normal and malignant cells, addition of dexamethesone only slightly decreased the levels of plasminogen activator. By immunofluorescence microscopy, normal bladder and fetal intestine epithelial cells showed fibronectin in a globular and fibrillar matrix. In contrast, normal mammary epithelial cells had a much diminished amount of fibronectin with a punctate distribution.

Plasminogen activator synthesis by cultured human embryonic lung cells: characterization of the suppressive effect of corticosteroids

The synthesis of plasminogen activator (PA) by cultured human embryonic lung (HuEL) cells has been examined. The production of PA by these cells was found to be reversibly inhibited by physiological levels of glucocorticoids. The suppression of PA synthesis in HuEL cells was not accompanied by an inhibition of cell growth. Moreover, the glucocorticoid induced deinduction of plasminogen activator synthesis occurred in both growing and non-growing cells. The inhibition of PA production by corticosteroids appeared to have a requirement for DNA-dependent RNA synthesis since the inhibition of DNA-dependent RNA synthesis at the time of exposure of cells to corticosteroids prevented the deinduction of PA.

Effects of cocultivation with transformed cells on surface proteins of normal cells

Virally transformed fibroblasts do not have on their surface a major protein (large external transformation-sensitive, LETS) which is present in normal cells. Cocultivation of the transformed cells with normal cells whose surface proteins have been prelabelled induces an accelerated release of the LETS protein from the normal cells. We have investigated various conditions which affect this phenomenon. Our results show that alteration of cell surface proteins by cocultivation with the transformed cells is time and dose-dependent and requires cell contact. Serum was depleted at least 99% of plasminogen by affinity chromatography and used in the cocultivation experiments. It was found that activation of plasminogen was not required for the accelerated turnover of the LETS protein. Other diffusible proteases are also unlikely to be involved. The possibility that transformed cells have a membrane bound activity is discussed. The role of plasminogen activation was also tested for its relevance in transformation related proteolysis, growth and morphology of cells.

Neoplasms produced from C3H/10T 1/2 cells attached to plastic plates; saturation density, anchorage dependence and serum requirement of in vitro lines correlated with growth aggressiveness in vivo

The C3H/10T 1/2 embryo cell line, which is nontumorigenic when inoculated subcutaneously in saline suspension, produces tumors when implanted subcutaneously attached to 1 X 5 X 10 mm plastic plates. Under these in vivo conditions there is direct selection for "spontaneous" transformants that have undergone the specific cellular alterations required for neoplastic behavior. This is in contrast to the conventional situation where transformants are obtained in vitro and are only secondarily tested in vivo for neoplastic behavior. Early passages of cell lines from four different C3H/10T 1/2 tumors explanted back in culture were quantitatively examined for tumorigenicity and for alteration in the properties of density inhibition, anchorage dependence, serum requirement, and plasminogen activator production. A fairly consistent quantitative relationship was found between the degree of growth aggressiveness in vivo and the degree of expression of these phenotypic markers of the transformed state in vitro during early passages of the cell lines after tumor explantation.

Dissociation of plasminogen activator from the transformed phenotype in a 5-bromodeoxyuridine dependent mutant of Syrian hamster melanoma cells

The relationship between plasminogen activator levels and the expression of the transformed phenotype was studied in a 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) dependent mutant of Syrian hamster melanoma cells. In terms of cell morphology and cellular interactions, the BrdUrd dependent cells resemble transformed cells when grown in the presence of BrdUrd but resemble untransformed cells when grown in the absence of BrdUrd. It was found that the BrdUrd dependent cells release significant levels of plasminogen activator only when cultured in the absence of BrdUrd. In the presence of BrdUrd, the release of plasminogen activator by the dependent cells is suppressed, and the decreased level of plasminogen activator released in the presence of BrdUrd seems to be due to the decreased production of active enzyme. Growth tests revealed that the BrdUrd dependent cells, when attached to a substrate, required BrdUrd in order to attain high densities. Furthermore, the cells are able to grow well in soft agar only in the presence of BrdUrd. These results suggest that the production and release of high levels of plasminogen activator are not related (either as cause or effect) to the expression of the transformed phenotype in the BrdUrd dependent cells. The effect of dog serum (as a plasminogen source) on the BrdUrd dependent cells also was tested. It was found that cells cultured in medium containing dog serum exhibit a morphological alteration, but only in the absence of brdUrd. The morphological response of the cells to dog serum resembles that previously observed with virus-transformed cells. In the BrdUrd dependent cells, the morphological response to dog serum appears correlated with the release of plasminogen activator but separated from other transformed characteristics.