Tumorigenicity of herpesvirus-transformed cells correlates with production of plasminogen activator

Vascularization and endochondral bone development: changes in plasminogen activator activity

Changes in plasminogen activator activity were studied during the sequential developmental stages of matrix-induced cartilage, bone, and bone marrow development. The morphological transitions were correlated with biochemical parameters. Morphologic evidence of vascularization of calcified hypertrophic cartilage was accompanied by a concomitant rise in plasminogen activator activity. Thereafter, a steady decline during mineralization and deposition of new bone was observed. Maximal plasminogen activator activity occurs at approximately the same time as peak activity of alkaline and acid phosphatase. These results imply a role for plasminogen activator during angiogenesis, vascular invasion, and attendant bone differentiation.

Phenotypic properties of herpesvirus-transformed cells with high tumorigenic and metastatic ability

Herpes simplex virus type 2-transformed hamster embryo fibroblasts (333-8-9 cells) produce increased plasminogen activator (PA) compared with normal hamster cells. These cells produce undifferentiated fibrosarcomas at the inoculation site in newborn hamsters, and metastasize to the lungs. Using a direct PA assay, in which 125I-labeled plasminogen is cleaved, the optimum pH and osmolarity for detection of the 333-8-9 extracellular PA were pH 8.9 and approximately 150 mOsmol. Secretion of enzyme did not vary significantly on a per cell basis over cell densities from 0.1 to 8.0 X 10(7) cells/T-75 cm2 flask. This assay demonstrates that the 333-8-9 cells produce at least 20-fold greater levels of PA than normal cell counterparts. Based on the molecular weight (50-58 kDa) of secreted 333-8-9 cells PA and lack of fibrin stimulation, we conclude that it is a urokinase type PA. Subclonal lines of the 333-8-9 cells, selected for an increased PA phenotype were stable in culture, more tumorigenic and probably more metastatic. Correlation of these two events was examined by passaging 333-8-9 cells in vivo to select for greater tumorigenic potential and then determining the production of PA by the in vivo-derived sublines. The metastatic potential of the resulting cells was heterogeneous. Increased PA production upon increased passage in vivo did not always occur, whether the cells were passaged as subcutaneous tumors or as ascites tumors. Thus, while enzyme production correlated with tumorigenicity when selecting cells for an increased protease phenotype, this correlation was not observed when selecting for in vivo tumorigenicity. The results suggest that increased ability to make PA represents only one of multiple selective advantages for tumor growth.