Agglutinins from aquatic insects--tumor cell agglutination activity.

Agglutinins were identified in whole body extracts of aquatic insects by means of murine tumor cell agglutination, using sarcoma 180 ascites, Ehrlich, and MM-46 cells. Screening revealed agglutinins in 5 of 10 of the larvae tested, and in 2 of 6 of the water-dwelling adult insects; Gerris paludum insularis and Gyrinus japonicus. Only the agglutinin from adult G. paludum also agglutinated human erythrocytes. An ascites tumor was converted into a solid form in vivo after administration of G. paludum agglutinin. The observation that these aquatic insect agglutinins preferentially agglutinate tumor cells has considerable implications in terms of anti-tumor effects such as inhibition of cell proliferation and metastasis.