Natural cytotoxicity in lymphatic metastasis. I. In vitro studies using the rat tumor BSp73 and its variants.

Serial transplantation of primary BSp73 ascites cells to a subcutaneous (SC) site gave rise to the appearance of two solid variants differing in their capacity to metastasize via the lymphatics. Tissue cultures derived from variant AS (nonmetastasizing) showed epithelioid morphology, while cultures derived from variant ASML (metastatic) showed spherical morphology. Upon cloning, both variants proved to be operationally homogeneous. Susceptibility of cultured BSp73 cells to NK and macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity was closely correlated to morphology, inasmuch as epithelioid cells were susceptible, while spherical cells were resistant, to lysis. With stimulated effector cells a general increase in cytotoxicity was observed, but epithelioid cells still showed a higher susceptibility level. Resistance of ASML-type cells to natural cytotoxicity was not due to the lack of recognition structures or to a general increase in the mechanical stability of spherical cells. This was concluded from cold target inhibition and from hypotonic shock treatment experiments, respectively.