Aggregation of activated platelets with Walker 256 carcinoma cells.

Walker 256 carcinoma cells form irreversible aggregates with rat platelets activated by ADP or serotonin. Since serotonin induces platelet shape change but not platelet aggregation the degree of activation indicated by the disc-sphere transformation is sufficient for platelets to interact with these tumor cells. This is confirmed by experiments with spheroid washed platelets which form irreversible mixed aggregates with Walker 256 carcinoma cells without a stimulus being required. This type of tumor cells could react with platelets in vivo, provided the platelets are activated by disturbed blood flow or contact with subendothelium. Our observations can explain why other authors found no interaction between Walker 256 carcinoma cells and non-activated platelets in vitro even though platelets contributed to the formation of bloodborne metastases of this tumor.