The effect of trypsin and neuraminidase on the circulation and organ distribution of tumor cells

Abstract

The effect of trypsin and neuraminidase on the circulation and organ distribution of 51Cr‐labeled normal lymphocytes, Murphy‐Sturm lymphosarcoma, and Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells was investigated in Wistar male rats. Radioactivity in various organs and blood was measured up to 72 hours after intravenous injection of the three cell lines. Trypsin treatment was followed by increased localization of both tumor cell lines to the spleen and peripheral blood and decreased retention in the lung at early time intervals; trypsin treatment also reduced hepatic uptake of lymphosarcoma but not that of carcinoma cells. Neuraminidase treatment was associated with increased localization of normal lymphocytes and both tumor cell lines to the liver, decreased retention of carcinoma cells in the lung, and fewer lymphosarcoma cells in the blood. The findings suggest that the organ distribution of tumor cells and normal lymphocytes may be related to cell surface constituents which are susceptible to modification by enzymatic treatment. Copyright © 1974 American Cancer Society