Neoplastic transformation of BALB/3T3 cells by metals and the quest for induction of a metastatic phenotype.

In the mouse embryo cell line BALB/3T3 Clone A31-1-1, dose-dependent morphologic neoplastic transformation was obtained with NaAsO2, Na2HAsO4, CdCl2, and K2CrO4. Cellular uptake was four fold higher for As3+ than for As5+, and As5- was metabolized to As3+ in cytosol. Cytotoxicity and transformation rates were four fold higher for As3+ than As5+, but when correlated to cellular As burden they were equivalent. As3+ appears responsible for the transforming activity. The foci transformed by metals (or by other carcinogens) gave rise to tumorigenic cell lines (sc sarcomas in nude mice), none of which, however, induced metastases when tested by sc or by iv injection in nude mice. Thus carcinogens change this aneuploid cell line from a preneoplastic stage to the expression of malignant growth but not of metastatic activity. Metastatic and type IV collagenolytic activities can be induced by transfection of the c-Ha-ras oncogene and inhibited by the Ad2-E1a gene (so far shown in other cell types). It remains to be seen whether metal or other carcinogens can induce the nonmetastatic phenotype to become metastatic. The molecular mechanisms of metal carcinogenesis, studied in cell culture systems, in combination with other factors or oncogenes, may reveal the effect of individual metal carcinogens on discrete steps of the complex process of carcinogenesis.