The analysis of malignancy by cell fusion. IX. Re-examination and clarification of the cytogenetic problem

Tumor suppression by collagen XV is independent of the restin domain

Non-fibrillar collagen XV is a chondroitin sulfate modified glycoprotein that is associated with the basement membrane zone in many tissues. Its precise functions remain to be fully elucidated though it clearly plays a critical role in the structural integrity of the extracellular matrix. Loss of collagen XV from the basement membrane zone precedes invasion of a number of tumor types and we previously showed that collagen XV functions as a dose-dependent suppressor of tumorigenicity in cervical carcinoma cells. The carboxyl terminus of another non-fibrillar collagen (XVIII) is cleaved to produce endostatin, which has anti-angiogenic effects and thus may act as a tumor suppressor in vivo. Since collagen XV has structural similarity with collagen XVIII, its C-terminal restin domain could confer tumor suppressive functions on the molecule, though our previous data did not support this. We now show that expression of collagen XV enhances the adhesion of cervical carcinoma cells to collagen I in vitro as does the N-terminus and collagenous regions of collagen XV, but not the restin domain. Destruction of a cysteine residue in the collagenous region that is critical for intermolecular interactions of collagen XV abolished the enhanced adhesion to collagen I. Finally, we demonstrate that unlike full length collagen XV, expression of the restin domain alone does not suppress tumorigenicity of cervical carcinoma cells in vivo; hence, this process is dependent on functions and interactions of other parts of the protein.

Complete suppression of tumor formation by high levels of basement membrane collagen

Suppression of tumorigenicity was first shown in hybrids produced by the fusion of a range of different highly malignant tumor cells with diploid fibroblasts. Cytogenetic analysis of these hybrids revealed that suppression involved a genetic region located in one specific chromosome donated to the hybrid cell by the fibroblast parent. The identity of the gene responsible for this dramatic effect has remained obscure. We now present strong evidence that the primary determinant is the gene specifying collagen XV, a proteoglycan closely associated with the basement membrane. We transfected a line of highly tumorigenic human cervical carcinoma cells with an expression vector carrying the full-length cDNA of the human collagen XV gene. We selected clones making various amounts of collagen XV, examined their growth in vitro, and tested their tumorigenicity in nude mice. High levels of collagen XV altered the growth properties of the cells in three-dimensional cultures. Moreover, we found that, in a dose-dependent manner, the production of collagen XV completely suppressed tumorigenicity in clones that synthesized this molecule at high levels. Immunohistologic studies suggest that suppression is associated with extracellular deposition of the proteoglycan at the cell periphery.

A genetic basis for tumour suppression

The technique of somatic cell hybridization has established the phenomenon of tumour suppression and provided evidence for a genetic basis for suppression. Further refinements aimed at eventually identifying 'tumour suppressor' genes include the use of monochromosome transfer via microcell hybridization. The application of this technique to the study of tumour suppression in tumorigenic HeLa cell x fibroblast hybrids, Wilms' tumour, retinoblastoma and osteosarcoma cells is described. The issue of whether tumour suppression involves a direct effect on expression of activated oncogenes is discussed. Transformation of normal human cells in culture by activated cellular oncogenes is an extremely rare event. This may be due to a relatively greater genomic stability of human cells compared to rodent cells. We describe the use of a spontaneously immortalized human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT, for studies of the effects of introduction of activated c-Ha-ras oncogene into these cells, with particular reference to tumorigenic conversion.

A long view of fashions in cancer research

Despite the spectacular contributions to knowledge made by molecular biology during the last half century, cancer research has not delivered an agreed explanation of how malignant tumours originate. The models assiduously investigated in molecular terms largely reflect waves of fashion, and time has revealed their inadequacy: cancer is (1) not caused by the direct action of oncogenes, (2) not fully explained by the impairment of tumour suppressor genes, (3) not set in motion by mutations controlling the cell cycle, (4) not governed by the dependence of malignant tumours on an adequate blood supply and (5) not triggered by a failure of programmed cell death. But there is now strong evidence that cancers may have their origin in mutations that block the execution of critical steps in the process of normal differentiation. Cancer, thus seen, is not initially a disease of cell multiplication, but a disease of differentiation. The evidence for this point of view should now be explored.

A new functional classification of tumor-suppressing genes and its therapeutic implications

Cell fusion studies have demonstrated that malignancy can be suppressed by a single dose of malignancy suppressor genes (MSGs), indicating that malignancy is a recessive phenotype. Correspondingly, it is widely believed that mutational inactivation of both alleles of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs), in familial and sporadic tumors, is the formal proof of the recessive nature of malignancy. Evidence presented here, however, shows that unlike MSGs, identified solely through cell fusion studies with no gene of this class yet cloned, many well-known TSGs have gene dosage effects and inhibit cellular growth in vitro. Moreover, homozygous inactivation of a growth-inhibitory TSG (GITSG) is not directly correlated with malignancy. An alternative interpretation is provided for the loss of wild-type alleles of these genes in the tumors. It is concluded that the MSGs and the GITSGs do not belong to the same class of genes. The functional classification of tumor-suppressing genes has important implications for developing effective cancer therapies.

Monochromosome transfers to Syrian hamster BHK cells via microcell fusion provide functional evidence for suppressor genes on human chromosome 9 both for anchorage independence and for tumorigenicity

We previously identified an anchorage independence-suppressor gene, SAII, on rat chromosome (RNO) 5. RNO5 is homologous to human chromosomes (HSA) 1 and 9. In order to find the human homolog of the SAII gene, we transferred HSA1 and HSA9 to an anchorage-independent and tumorigenic Syrian hamster BHK 191-5C cell line by microcell fusion. For HSA9, we used a t(X;9)-derivative chromosome to force the retention of this chromosome in hybrids by hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine (HAT) selection. To study the possible effect of the X portion of the der(9)t(X;9), we also transferred a normal X to 191-5C cells. For HSA1, a neo-tagged chromosome was introduced. Following the transfer of der(9)t(X;9) to 191-5C cells, the hybrid cells became anchorage dependent and nontumorigenic, and, upon the loss of this chromosome, the cells regained their tumorigenic and anchorage-independent phenotypes. The transfer of HSAX or HSA1, on the other hand, affected neither of these phenotypes. These results provide functional proof of suppressor genes on HSA9 involving both anchorage independence and tumorigenicity. In addition, our data suggest the presence of another gene on HSA9 that causes a negative growth effect and whose phenotypic expression, contrary to the suppressor genes, is dosage dependent.

Deletion mapping of chromosome 11 in carcinoma of the bladder

Deletions of the short arm of chromosome 11 have been identified by both cytogenetic and molecular criteria in bladder and other types of solid tumor, indicating the presence of one or more suppressor loci in this region. To localize the 11p deletion target(s) more precisely and to screen for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on the long arm of the chromosome, 100 bladder tumors were analyzed for LOH on chromosome 11 using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and microsatellite markers mapped to both 11p and 11q. Thirty-four tumors were found to have LOH at 1 or more loci. Of these, 17 had LOH restricted to 11p, 13 had LOH of both 11p and 11q, and 4 had LOH of 11q only. Eight tumors showed LOH at all informative loci indicating probable loss of an entire copy of chromosome 11. A common region of deletion was defined on 11p between D11S922 (11p15.5) and D11S569 (11p15.1-15.2). This region does not include the HRAS or WT1 loci (at 11p15.5 and 11p13, respectively). Seventeen tumors had LOH on 11q, 4 of which had LOH on 11q only. The common region of deletion on 11q was between FGF3 and D11S490 (11q13-q23.2). Two tumors showed LOH on both 11p and 11q with a clear region of retention of heterozygosity between, indicating the existence of two deletion targets on chromosome 11.

Frequent deletion in chromosome 4 and duplication of chromosome 15 in liver epithelial cells derived from long-term culture of C3H mouse hepatocytes

Prolonged culture of hepatocytes isolated from mouse liver results in the spontaneous development of colonies of liver epithelial cells that can proliferate indefinitely in vitro. We established 5 such cell lines from C3H/HeJ mice (C3H) and 22 cell lines from C3H/HeJ x C57BL/6J F1 mice (C3B6F1) to investigate whether any specific karyotype alterations may be associated with the development of such cells. These lines retained some properties of hepatocytes as well as showing bile-duct-cell characteristics, and comprised mainly near-diploid and/or hypotetraploid cells. Karyotypic analysis of the C3H cell lines indicated that most cells have loss of chromosome 4 or deletion involving the C7 portion, while at least 1 (for near-diploid cells) or 2 (for hypotetraploid cells) copies of chromosome 4 were usually intact. In addition, gain of an extra chromosome 15 was frequently observed in these cell lines. Analysis of the microsatellite DNA polymorphic markers in 22 C3B6F1 lines revealed that a majority of them showed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for, at least, 1 of 3 polymorphic loci on chromosome 4, but not for 2 loci on chromosomes 7 and 11. Mouse chromosomes 4 and 15, therefore, may contain genes related to the ability of such liver epithelial cells to grow indefinitely in vitro [The locus on chromosome 4 was designated as liver-cell immortalization (LCI) locus].

Analysis of tumor suppressor gene on human chromosome 9 in mouse x human somatic cell hybrids

Deletions of the short arm of human chromosome 9 (9p) are common in human leukemia and solid tumors. The minimum region of overlap of these deletions, located between the interferon genes and the methylthioadenosine phosphorylase gene, is partially syntenic with a region of mouse chromosome 4 that has tumor suppressor activity. Somatic cell hybrids between tumorigenic, MTAP-deficient, mouse L cells, and MTAP-competent human cells containing either a normal copy of 9p or a 9p with a deletion involving band 9p21 were selected in culture conditions that require MTAP activity for continued growth. Somatic cell hybrids that contained a normal copy of 9p rarely formed tumors in nude mice. Cells from the rare tumors that grew had lost the normal 9p. Hybrid cells that contained a 9p with deletions formed tumors more frequently, and cells from these tumors retained the 9p deletion chromosome. These results provide evidence that a tumor suppressor gene (or genes) is located on human chromosome 9 within the region of deletion.

Fibronectin splice variants are differentially incorporated into the extracellular matrix of tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic hybrids between normal fibroblasts and sarcoma cells

Recent reports have described transformation- and tumour-specific expression of fibronectin isoforms generated by alternative splicing of the fibronectin pre-mRNA. We have investigated the expression and distribution of EDIIIA+ and EDIIIB+ fibronectin splice variants in tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic somatic cell hybrids made by fusing fibrosarcoma-derived cells (HT1080) and normal fibroblasts (GM00097). Alternative splicing of EDIIIA and EDIIIB was assessed quantitatively by S1 nuclease analyses. The levels of EDIIIA+ and EDIIIB+ fibronectin mRNAs were similar in the parental and hybrid cells. Domain-specific monoclonal antibodies were used in immunohistochemical studies to identify EDIIIA+ and EDIIIB+ fibronectins in fixed cells. GM00097 and the non-tumorigenic hybrid (clone G3) showed high levels of both EDIIIA+ and EDIIIB+ fibronectin staining. The tumorigenic hybrid (clone C1) showed reduced amounts of EDIIIA+ fibronectin, but no detectable EDIIIB+ fibronectin. No fibronectin was detected on the surface of HT1080 cells. Western blots of protein extracted from culture supernatants and extracellular matrices revealed that GM00097 and G3 cells incorporated most of the EDIIIA+ and EDIIIB+ fibronectin into the extracellular matrix whereas C1 cells released a large proportion of the EDIIIA+ fibronectin, and almost all of the EDIIIB+ fibronectin, into the supernatant. We conclude that there are differences in the presence of EDIIIA+ and EDIIIB+ FNs on the surface of tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic cells and that these differences are due to differential incorporation of FN variants into the ECM.

Molecular genetics of human malignant melanoma

Due to a variety of known and unknown control mechanisms, the human genome is remarkably stable when compared to most other species. The long latency periods of most solid tumors, during which the cell undergoes malignant transformation, are presumably due to this stability. The molecular basis responsible for the induction of genetic instability and the resultant biological characteristics manifest in tumor populations is not well understood. The discovery of both oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, however, has placed the phenomenon of human genome stability on a more solid conceptual footing. These types of genes clearly place multiple barriers to oncogenic transformation, and traversing these barriers apparently requires both time and the accumulation of genetic defects that cannot be corrected. The evolution of neoplasias can, therefore, be predicted to be due to: (1) consistent and progressive loss of tumor suppressor genes; (2) gene amplification, resulting in the over-expression of proteins that aid in tumor progression; (3) gene mutation, which alters the orderly biochemistry of the normal cell; (4) genes that allow a cell like the melanocyte to escape the confining nature of the epidermis and to invade through the dermis into the circulatory and lymphatic systems in order to disseminate itself to other organs (e.g., proteolytic enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, integrins, metastases genes, chemotactic factors etc.); (5) factors, perhaps such as TGF beta 2, that may impact negatively on MHC antigens and confuse host defense mechanisms; and (6) S.O.S.-type genes, which may be expressed as a direct response to the accumulating damage in an attempt to correct the damage, but that may then become part of the problem instead of the solution. The extraordinary plasticity and instability of the genome of a melanoma cell suggests an inordinate amount of genetic flux. In addition to activating and inactivating various genes, this constant shuffling and rearranging of the genome in neoplasms such as MM may be constantly altering gene dose. Cytogenetic and molecular biological studies have been the Rosetta stone for understanding the etiological relevant genetic events in human cancers. Genetic alterations fundamental to the pathology of MM have begun to be defined. Studies designed to understand these perturbations at the biochemical and organismic level are underway.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Correlation of myc expression with the growth-arrested and transformed phenotypes in hybrids between a T lymphoma and an antigen-responsive T-cell line

Fusion of the YACUT lymphoma cell line with the Mls-1a-antigen-specific non-tumorigenic T-cell line G4 produced growth-arrested hybrids that could be induced to proliferate in the presence of Mls-1a antigen. Prolonged growth of such hybrids by repeated antigenic stimulation resulted in the appearance of autonomously growing hybrid lines. Of the 4 antigen-independent hybrid clones, I was weakly tumorigenic (25% incidence) while the other 3 were highly tumorigenic (100% incidence). In the growth-arrested hybrids the de-regulated c-myc expression characteristic of the YACUT cells was suppressed. In the autonomously growing clones, however, c-myc expression had reverted to the levels of the lymphoma parent and 1 to 2 extra copies of chromosome 15 were consistently present. These results indicate that repeated antigenic stimulation somehow abrogated the down-regulation of c-myc in the growth-arrested hybrid lines. The increase in the number of copies of chromosome 15, however, suggests that genes located on this chromosome may abolish the effect of the negative regulatory functions of the non-malignant parent in a gene-dosage-dependent manner.

Detection of multiple tumor suppressor genes for Syrian hamster fibrosarcomas by somatic cell hybridization

Identification of tumor suppressor gene loci in rodent cell culture systems has relied upon the use of somatic cell hybridization studies. Although normal rodent fibroblasts are capable of suppressing the tumorigenicity of a variety of tumor cells, the lack of complementation in tumor cell x tumor cell hybrids has left the possibility that a single tumor suppressor gene may be responsible for tumor suppression in a particular rodent cell culture system. Using this same approach, we found no evidence for complementation resulting in suppression of the transformed phenotype when three viral oncogene-transformed Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cell lines and one spontaneously transformed baby hamster kidney (BHK) cell line were fused to benzo[a]pyrene-transformed SHE cells (BP6T-M3). However, v-src oncogene-transformed cell line (srcT) x BP6T-M3 hybrids did demonstrate limited suppression of the transformed phenotype, suggesting at least two complementing tumor suppressor genes in this system. We were able to confirm and extend this finding using another experimental approach with preneoplastic hamster cell lines that are immortal in culture but nontumorigenic in nude mice. We propose that fusion of these preneoplastic cells to various tumor cells may reveal tumor suppressor genes not evident in the tumor cell x tumor cell complementation studies. Subclones of two nontumorigenic, immortal hamster cell lines, 10W and DES4, displayed differing abilities to suppress BP6T-M3 cells in somatic cell hybrids, as quantitated by the ability of the hybrid cells to form colonies in soft agar. With a panel of preneoplastic hamster cell x BP6T-M3 hybrids, a distinct pattern of suppression or expression of the transformed phenotype was observed. Marked differences in this pattern were seen when the same 10W and DES4 subclones were fused to other hamster fibrosarcoma cell lines, indicating different tumor suppressing activities of multiple tumor suppressor genes. Analysis of this data suggests that as few as three or as many as six different tumor suppressor genes may be active in the Syrian hamster embryo cell culture system. Thus, this system may provide a useful model for identifying and studying the effects and regulation of a number of different tumor suppressor genes for fibrosarcomas.

Formation and ultrastructure of somatic cell hybrids

Taken altogether, the EM evidence we have obtained indicates that the induced (both viral and PEG) and spontaneous (entrance of a splenocyte into a cell) fusion of mammalian somatic cells are associated with alterations in the structure of fusing cells. For example there are alterations in the structure of not only the surfaces of fusing cells but also in the nucleus envelopes and cytoplasmic organelles after PEG treatment. Also, there is long retention of cellular plasma membrane remnants in virally-induced heterokaryons. In short, for each case the alterations were unquestionably specific, in response to the imposed challenge. These specific features not only determine the efficiency and rate of fusion, but also the mode of which the hybrid nucleus is formed. This mode directly determines the fate of the synkaryon and the stability of the so formed hybrid genome. It might be thought that an increase in the inner nuclear envelope observed in some hybrids would counteract the consequences of the disproportion arising between the increase in cell volume and nuclear surface. The finger-like invaginations of the hybrid nuclei nuclear envelope, surrounded by replicatively and transcriptionally active chromatin, appear to be EM demonstrations of such counteracting mechanisms. These invaginations, by augmenting the available inner layer, most likely increase the anchorage sites for chromatin. It is noteworthy that the invaginations occur mainly in multichromosomal hybrids with little chromosome loss. It appears possible that some of the hybrids may contain particular chromosomes from the more differentiated parent cell.

Specific chromosomal defects associated with metastatic potential in K-1735 melanoma clones. Involvement of chromosomes 4 and 14

In this study we sought to identify specific cytogenetic defects associated with the metastatic phenotypes in clones isolated from the parental K-1735 murine melanoma. All nonmetastatic clones (C-3, C-10, and C-19) exhibited trisomy of chromosomes 1, 3, 12, and 15. The only structural defect present in these clones was an interstitial deletion in a chromosome 4. In contrast, the highly metastatic clones (C-4, M-2, BB1, and X-21) exhibited trisomy of chromosomes 1, 3, 12, and 15, plus structural abnormalities of chromosomes 4 and 14, with the net result of a deletion in both. Parental K-1735 cells and clone C-16 cells, which are intermediate in their metastatic potential, had some cells with 4 and 14 alterations and others with only a deletion of chromosome 4. Clone C-16 revealed other non-clonal structural abnormalities. Our results indicate that structural anomaly of chromosome 4 and numerical alterations of certain autosomes may be associated with tumorigenic properties. In addition, structural defect in chromosome 14 is associated with high metastatic potential of K-1735 melanoma cells.

Rat chromosome 5 (q22-23) contains elements that control cell morphology and interactions with the extracellular matrix: a study of normal fibroblast x malignant hepatoma cell hybrids

Cell interactions with the extracellular matrix are consistently modified in neoplasia. Malignant transformation has been correlated with modifications in the synthesis and distribution of matrix components and with alterations of cell adhesive properties to these components. A particular class of genes, able to suppress the transformed phenotype in normal cells, may be involved in those phenotypic changes. By studying somatic cell hybrids between mouse hepatoma (BWTG3) cells and normal rat skin fibroblasts (RSF), Islam and co-workers were able to localize a gene or a group of genes controlling anchorage dependence and cell growth in vitro. This (or these) gene(s) was (were) assigned to the q22-23 fragment of rat chromosome 5. In the present study, we compare the morphology and the interactions with the extracellular matrix proteins (laminin, fibronectin, and collagen IV) and the synthesis of these proteins by RSF X BWTG3 hybrid cells that had either retained (BS181p10) or lost (BS181a5) the q22-23 region of rat chromosome 5. Our results suggest that the rat 5q22-23 fragment controls a part of the cell differentiation program including morphology, attachment to extracellular matrix, and synthesis of some matrix proteins, particularly alpha 1 and alpha 2 chains of collagen IV.

Expression of a mouse tyrosinase cDNA in 3T3 Swiss mouse fibroblasts

3T3 Swiss mouse fibroblast cell lines expressing tyrosinase, the critical enzyme in melanin synthesis, have been established by co-transfection of a mouse tyrosinase cDNA and a G418-resistance gene. Of sixty-three clones isolated, four are brown in colour, presumably due to synthesis of melanin. Expression of both the tyrosine hydroxylase and dopa oxidase activities of tyrosinase by these pigmented clones has been demonstrated directly by enzyme assays. Electron microscopic studies suggest that the brown pigment is located in membrane-bound cytoplasmic vesicles.

Suppression of the translocated myc gene and expression of intracisternal A-particle genes in tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic hybrids between murine myeloma and normal fibroblasts

We have studied the tumorigenic potential of a series of independent intraspecies hybrid clones derived from fusion of murine myeloma (BALB/c) and normal fibroblasts (C3H). All of these hybrids grew as adherent cells and thus resembled the fibroblast phenotype. As judged by chromosome enumeration, these hybrids appear to retain the full complement of their parental cells. Three out of 4 hybrids tested were able to form colonies in soft agar and to grow as tumors in either nude or (BALB/c x C3H) F1 mice, albeit at a reduced rate. The 4th hybrid did not grow in agar, was non-tumorigenic and may have had a 2:1 fibroblast to myeloma genomic equivalence ratio. In contrast to the parental myeloma cells, all the hybrids exhibited restricted growth rates in serum-free medium. As in our previous sets of hybrids formed between myeloma and L-cells, expression of the Ig genes was inhibited in the new hybrids and the derived tumors. The constitutive expression of the translocated myc gene in the myeloma parental cells was decreased in the hybrids and in all their derived tumors. In contrast, all of the hybrid cell lines and the tumors express high levels of the intracisternal A particle mRNAs. Our results show that the tumorigenic phenotype of myeloma cells is either fully or partially suppressed in myeloma x fibroblast hybrids and that this may be due to the fact that expression of the translocated c-myc is suppressed. We suggest that, in addition to the translocated myc gene, myeloma cells contain other activated oncogene(s), and that the latter are responsible for the residual tumorigenic potential of the myeloma x fibroblast hybrids.

Loss of a tumor suppressor function during neoplastic progression of epithelial cells in vitro

In vitro transformation of rat urothelial cells is a multi-step process. We have used cell fusion to analyse the role of recessive events during in vitro progression of an immortal urothelial cell line. Somatic cell hybrids were made between the transformed cell line RM2T and a series of immortal urothelial cell lines, including the progenitor line RM2AD, from which RM2T was isolated. The ability to produce colonies in soft agar (anchorage independence) was used as an in vitro marker of transformation, and a series of 10 hybrid clones and 4 mass populations of hybrids were assessed for suppression of this phenotype. Hybrids between early-passage (less than passage 35, anchorage-dependent) RM2AD cells and late-passage (greater than passage 35, anchorage-independent) RM2T cells, showed suppression of anchorage independence when tested early after fusion (4/4 mass populations, 7/10 clones). This indicates that in vitro progression of this cell line is associated with loss of a function which can suppress growth in soft agar. Fusions between anchorage-independent RM2T cells and a series of other anchorage-dependent immortal urothelial cell lines generated hybrids which showed no suppression of anchorage independence, indicating that these anchorage-dependent cells have lost the suppressor function identified in RM2AD. Our results indicate that loss of a suppressor function can contribute to urothelial transformation in vitro and that clonal populations of immortal cells, at apparently the same stage of transformation, differ in their ability to suppress anchorage independence of the cell line RM2T. These differences provide the basis for suppressor-gene cloning experiments based on gene transfer.

Normal human chromosome 1 carries suppressor activity for various phenotypes of a Kirsten murine sarcoma virus-transformed NIH/3T3 cell line

In order to identify chromosomes that carry putative tumor-suppressor genes for the various phenotypes of Kirsten sarcoma virus-transformed NIH/3T3 (DT) cells, we performed microcell-mediated chromosome transfer into DT cells. We first isolated mouse A9 clones, containing a single human chromosome 1, 11 or 12 tagged with pSV2-neo plasmid DNA. Then, chromosome 1, 11 or 12 was transferred from the A9 clones into DT cells by microcell fusion. The growth rate, colony-forming ability in soft agar and tumorigenicity of the DT cells were controlled by chromosome 1, but not by chromosome 11 or 12, indicating that normal human chromosome 1 carries a putative tumor-suppressor gene(s) that affects various transformed phenotypes of DT cells.

Spontaneous fusion between splenocytes and myeloma cells induced by bacterial immunization

Spontaneous fusion between lymphoid and carcinoma cells in vivo has been described previously. Splenocytes from mice treated with LPS or mitogen have been reported to fuse better with myeloma cells using PEG as fusion agent than splenocytes from untreated mice. We report a phenomenon where immunization of mice with formalin treated, whole Haemophilus paragallinarum bacteria induced spontaneous fusion of splenocytes with myeloma cells in vitro, without the aid of any fusion agent. Co-immunization of mice with H. paragallinarum and an unrelated antigen (hen's egg white lysozyme), followed by co-culturing of the immune splenocytes with SP2/0 myeloma cells, yielded stable hybridoma cell lines producing anti-lysozyme antibodies. H. paragallinarum may be used in adjuvants to simplify the production of monoclonal antibodies, and the discovery of a promotional activity of a gram negative bacterium on cell fusion and hybridoma formation may shed new light on spontaneous fusion as a natural immune phenomenon in cancer.

Pathogenesis of adult testicular germ cell tumors. A cytogenetic model

In essence, two models exist of the pathogenetic relationship between seminomas and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs). In the first model, the histogenesis of seminomas is assumed to diverge from that of the other testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) at an early stage. The neoplastic pathway of seminomas and NSGCTs is different, with limited or no crossover. The second model suggests that seminomas and NSGCTs have a common origin with a single neoplastic pathway on which seminomas are an intermediate stage in development of NSGCTs. Our data on the cytogenetics and ploidy of seminomas, combined tumors, and NSGCTs lend support to the model of pathogenesis of seminomas and NSGCTs in which all TGCTs (with the possible exception of spermatocytic seminoma and infantile yolk sac tumor) have a single origin and neoplastic pathway, with seminomas representing an intermediate stage in development of NSGCT components, as opposed to the model in which seminomas and NSGCTs develop separately. The progression of TGCTs probably proceeds from high to lower numbers of chromosomes and is therefore accompanied by a net loss of chromosomal material. This decrease will be the end result of loss of specific chromosomes, gain of some other chromosomes (or part of chromosomes), and development of structural abnormalities.

Transfer of a normal human chromosome 11 suppresses tumorigenicity of some but not all tumor cell lines

The complete suppression of tumorigenicity of a human cervical cancer cell (HeLa) and a Wilms' tumor cell line (G401) following the introduction via microcell fusion of a single chromosome t(X;11) has been demonstrated by Stanbridge and co-workers. To determine whether other tumor cell lines are suppressed by chromosome 11, we performed chromosome transfer experiments via microcell fusion into various human tumor cell lines, including a uterine cervical carcinoma (SiHa), a rhabdomyosarcoma (A204), a uterine endometrial carcinoma (HHUA), a renal cell carcinoma (YCR-1), and a rat ENU-induced nephroblastoma (ENU-T1). We first isolated a mouse A9 cell containing a single human chromosome 11 with integrated pSV2-neo plasmid DNA. Following microcell fusion of the neo-marked chromosome 11 with the various tumors mentioned above, we isolated clones that were resistant to G418 and performed karyotypic analyses and chromosomal in situ hybridization to ensure the transfer of the marked chromosome. Whereas the parental cells of each cell line were highly tumorigenic, SiHa and A204 microcell hybrid clones at early passages were nontumorigenic in nude mice and HHUA was moderately tumorigenic. On the other hand, YCR-1 and ENU-T1 microcell hybrid clones were still highly tumorigenic following the introduction of chromosome 11. Thus, the introduction of a normal chromosome 11 suppresses the tumorigenicity of some but not all tumors, suggesting that the function of the putative suppressor gene(s) on chromosome 11 is effective only in specific tumors.

Deletions of interferon genes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Structural rearrangements involving the short arm of chromosome 9, including bands 9p21 and 22, are found in the leukemia cells of 7 to 13 percent of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The interferon-alpha gene cluster and the interferon-beta 1 gene have been localized to this chromosomal region. We have previously demonstrated deletions of these genes in several cell lines established in vitro from patients with lymphoblastic leukemia. We report here homozygous or hemizygous deletions of the interferon-alpha and interferon-beta 1 genes in samples of leukemia cells from patients with lymphoblastic leukemia. Of 62 patients examined, 18 (29 percent) had such deletions. Four patients (7 percent) had homozygous deletions of the interferon-alpha gene cluster; of these, one also had a homozygous deletion and three had hemizygous deletions of the interferon-beta 1 gene. Fourteen patients (23 percent) had hemizygous deletions of both the interferon-alpha gene cluster and the interferon-beta 1 gene. In 8 of the 18 patients with deletions, the deletions of interferon genes were submicroscopic; in the 11 other patients, chromosomal rearrangements of 9p, including translocations or deletions, were visible on light microscopy. These chromosomal and molecular deletions are likely to be related to the loss of a tumor-suppressor gene (or genes) located on 9p, which may be an interferon gene or an unrelated but closely linked gene.

Regulation of the activity of a new inhibitor of angiogenesis by a cancer suppressor gene

An inhibitor has been identified in the conditioned medium of hamster cells and hamster-human hybrids that suppresses neovascularization in vivo in the rat cornea. Inhibitory activity was tightly linked to the presence of an active cancer suppressor gene in transformants and revertants, in segregating hybrids, and in temperature-limited transformants. It copurified with a approximately 140 kd glycoprotein. Polyclonal antiserum raised against the purified preparation recognized a 140 kd protein in conditioned medium and was able to adsorb out all antiangiogenic activity. These results define the control of the activity of an inhibitor of neovascularization as one function of the cancer suppressor gene active in BHK21/cl13 cells and simultaneously identify a new inhibitor of angiogenesis, a process vital to the growth of solid tumors.

Construction of mouse A9 clones containing a single human chromosome (X/autosome translocation) via micro-cell fusion

Cell hybrids between hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT)-deficient mouse cell lines (A9 or RAG) and each of 12 different human fibroblasts (GM cells) containing various X/autosome translocations were formed, selected and isolated. Several human chromosomes including an X/autosome translocation carrying HGPRT locus were found in these hybrid cells. To construct A9 cell clones that contain a single X/autosome translocation, micro-cell fusion was undertaken to transfer these chromosomes from the hybrids to A9 cells. Karyotype analysis revealed that most of the resulting micro-cell hybrids contain, in a background of mouse chromosomes, only the human X/autosome translocations which were present in the GM cells used for cell hybridization. Sublines of A9 cells were established containing the following autosomal segments: 1q23----1qter; 1q12----1pter; 3p12----3pter; 3q21----3qter; 11q13----11qter; 11q13----11pter; 11p11----11qter; 11q23----11pter; 12q24----12pter; 16q24----16pter; 17q11----17pter.

Extinction of expression of the translocated myc gene in somatic cell hybrids between mouse myeloma and L-cells

Most murine plasma-cell tumors show a t(12;15) reciprocal chromosomal translocation which truncates the first exon of one of the myc gene alleles and fuses it to one of the switch regions of the immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy-chain locus. This results in constitutive activation of the translocated myc gene and the production of smaller-sized mRNA molecules, which are initiated at new sites in the first myc intron. The normal myc allele is not expressed in these myeloma cells. We have studied the expression of the translocated myc gene in somatic cell hybrids between mouse myeloma and L-cells. Our previous findings show that Ig gene expression is extinguished in such hybrids. In the present work we found that the hybrids contain the normal and translocated myc genes. In contrast to the myeloma parental cells which express the translocated myc gene, the hybrids are similar to the L-cells in expressing only the normal myc allele. Our results suggest that the L-cell, fibroblast-like phenotype, is dominant in these hybrids, and show that the translocated myc gene is expressed in a tissue-specific manner in the context of the myeloma cell, and is not expressed when subjected to a fibroblast-like cellular environment.

Normal human chromosome 11 suppresses tumorigenicity of human cervical tumor cell line SiHa

We examined the ability of human chromosome 11 derived from normal fibroblast cells to suppress the tumorigenicity of SiHa cells, a human cervical tumor cell line. Using DNA transfection, the human chromosome was tagged with a selectable marker (the pSV2neo gene, which encodes resistance to the antibiotic G418), transferred to mouse A9 cells by cell hybridization and microcell transfer techniques, and then transferred to SiHa cells by microcell transfer. These procedures resulted in the appearance of 15 independent, G418-resistant clones, 5 of which had one or two extra copies of an intact human chromosome 11. In situ chromosomal hybridization of these clones with the pSV2neo plasmid revealed the presence of a neo-tagged human chromosome 11 in all of the five SiHa-microcell hybrids. Two SiHa-microcell hybrids that contained a single copy of neo-tagged human chromosome 12 were also isolated by the same methods. The tumorigenicities of SiHa clones with one or two extra copies of chromosome 11 (SiHa-11) were suppressed; four of the five SiHa-11 clones formed no tumors in nude mice, whereas both parental SiHa cells and SiHa cells with an extra chromosome 12 formed tumors within 30 d. One SiHa-11 cell clone formed a single tumor 90 d after injection. This rare tumor had lost one copy of chromosome 11 and rapidly formed tumors when reinjected. These results indicate that the introduction of a single copy of normal human chromosome 11, but not chromosome 12, suppresses the tumorigenicity of SiHa cells, indicating the presence on human chromosome 11 of a putative tumor-suppressor gene (or genes) for human cervical tumors.

Genetic analysis of tumorigenesis. XXXI: Retention of short arm of chromosome 3 in suppressed CHEF cell hybrids containing c-Ha-ras (EJ) gene

Hybrids between nontransformed Chinese hamster embryo fibroblast (CHEF) cells and their c-Ha-ras (EJ) -transformed derivatives are suppressed for tumor-forming ability when tested at early passage. Hybrid subclones with suppressed (fibroblastic) or transformed appearance have now been selected by multiple recloning. Morphology, but not serum or anchorage requirement, was a sensitive indicator of suppression: Subclones with normal morphology were nontumorigenic, subclones with transformed morphology were highly tumorigenic, and intermediate subclones (7-70% normal colonies) formed tumors with a frequency of 17-50%. Suppressed lines retained the short arm of chromosome 3, but transformed and tumor-derived lines had lost this region (greater than or equal to 1 copy). Transformed and tumor-derived cells exhibited additional chromosome changes, including the loss of at least one copy of chromosomes 7 and/or 8. These findings suggest that a tumor suppressor gene lies on the short arm of chromosome 3, consistent with prior studies from this laboratory. Other suppressor genes may be located on chromosomes 7 and 8.

The approaching era of the tumor suppressor genes

Genes that can inhibit the expression of the tumorigenic phenotype have been detected by the fusion of normal and malignant cells, the phenotypic reversion of in vitro transformants, the induction of terminal differentiation of malignant cell lineages, the loss of "recessive cancer genes," the discovery of regulatory sequences in the immediate vicinity of certain oncogenes, and the inhibition of tumor growth by normal cell products. Such tumor suppressor genes will probably turn out to be as, if not more, diversified as the oncogenes. Consideration of both kinds of genes may reveal common or interrelated functional properties.

Growth suppression of hybrids between transformed cells and normal fibroblasts in serum-free medium: correlation with retention of human chromosomes

Somatic cell hybrids formed by crossing PG19 mouse melanoma cells with mouse embryo fibroblasts have a reduced ability to proliferate in growth factor-unsupplemented serum-free medium relative to the parental melanoma cells. The suppression of growth of the hybrid cells in serum-free medium is attributable to a strict requirement of these cells for polypeptide growth factors (insulin plus platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, or epidermal growth factor). In contrast, the parental melanoma cells are able to grow without exogenously added growth factors. Fifteen hybrids derived from crosses between mouse L cells and normal human skin fibroblasts also have been tested for ability to grow in growth factor-unsupplemented serum-free medium. Depending on which human chromosomes are retained, growth of these hybrids in serum-free medium is also suppressed relative to growth of the L cell parent. There appear to be several genes on different chromosomes that are involved in suppression of serum-free growth of the fibroblast x L cell hybrids. One weak suppressor gene appears to be on the human X chromosome.

The Wellcome Foundation lecture, 1986. The molecular regulators of normal and leukaemic blood cells

The development of a cell-culture system for the cloning and clonal differentiation of different types of blood cell has made it possible to identify: (i), the proteins that regulate growth and differentiation of different cell lineages in normal and leukaemic blood cells; (ii), the molecular basis of normal and abnormal control of cell development in blood-forming tissue; and (iii), how to suppress malignancy in leukaemic cells. By using myeloid blood cells as a model system, it has been shown that normal blood cells require different proteins to induce cell viability and multiplication (growth-inducers) and differentiation (differentiation-inducers), that there is a hierarchy of growth-inducers which act at various stages of cell development, and that a growth-inducer can switch on production of a differentiation-inducer. Gene cloning has established a multigene family for these proteins. Identification of these proteins and their interaction has shown how growth and differentiation are regulated in normal development and demonstrated the mechanisms that uncouple growth and differentiation so as to produce malignant cells. Normal cells require an external source of growth-inducing protein for cell viability and multiplication. Cells can become leukaemic by genetically changing this normal requirement for growth without blocking response to normal differentiation-inducers. The mature cells induced by adding these normal protein-inducers are then no longer malignant. Other genetic changes which inhibit differentiation by the normal blood-cell regulatory proteins can occur in the evolution of leukaemia. But even these leukaemic cells may still be induced to differentiate by other compounds that can induce differentiation by alternative pathways. The differentiation of leukaemic to mature cells, which stops the cells from multiplying, results in the suppression of malignancy by bypassing genetic changes that produce the malignant phenotype. The activity of blood-cell growth- and differentiation-inducing proteins has been shown in culture and in the body. They can, therefore, be clinically useful to correct defects in the development of normal and leukaemic blood cells.

Increased tumorigenicity of polyploid Ehrlich variants during growth in vivo is associated with karyotypic changes

In previous studies, treatment of Ehrlich ascites tumors (EAT) with either Sendai virus, Herpes virus or neuraminidase produced variants that differed significantly from EAT in both tumorigenicity and karyotype. In this study, less tumorigenicity variants of EAT were isolated by culturing in media containing low concentrations of serum or without serum. In contrast to the relative stability of tumorigenicity in such variants cultured in vivo, the tumorigenicity of these variant clones passaged in vivo was variable, depending on the variant clone. During growth in vivo, 3 variant clones independently isolated from serum-free medium, low serum-containing medium and after neuraminidase treatment produced markedly heterogeneous tumors, and after 4 passages the tumors were about 1000 times more tumorigenic than the initial variants. In generating new tumors, the tumors always segregated chromosomes. The banded chromosome analysis of a variant clone isolated from serum-free medium and its malignant tumor showed that most of the chromosomes segregated from the clone were normal types. On the other hand, the tumorigenicity of Herpes virus-induced variants was unchanged during growth in vivo.

Suppression of transformed phenotypes in intraspecific somatic cell hybrid clones between the c-myc activating mouse plasmacytoma line and normal cells

The role of normal-cell-derived chromosome 15 in suppressing transformed phenotypes was studied in intraspecific hybrid clones between the c-myc oncogene activating BALB/c mouse plasmacytoma (S194) cells and normal spleen cells or fibroblasts from CBA/H-T6 mice. All the hybrid clones between S194 and normal spleen cells grew very rapidly in suspension and formed colonies in soft agar. In contrast, the hybrid clones between S194 and normal fibroblasts grew slowly in an attached form. They were divided into 2 groups on the basis of their morphology and growth properties: most clones showed flat type morphology, and no colony formation was seen in soft agar, while some clones grew in a piled-up fashion and formed colonies in soft agar. The hybrid clones between S194 and normal spleen cells lost some normal-cell-derived chromosomes but retained most tumor-derived marker chromosomes including the t(12;15) chromosome which carried the activated c-myc oncogene. On the other hand, hybrid clones between S194 cells and normal fibroblasts retained almost all chromosomes from both parental cells. With respect to retention of normal-cell-derived chromosome 15, both the flat and piled-up type clones retained 2 copies each of the t(14;15) and T6 marker chromosomes, the normal counterparts of the t(12;15) chromosomes. Our results suggest that the transformed phenotypes of the hybrid clones between S194 cells and normal fibroblasts are negatively modulated by normal-cell-derived chromosomes but not by normal-cell-derived chromosome 15 alone.

The Ha-ras-induced transformed phenotype of rat-1 cells can be suppressed in hybrids with rat embryonic fibroblasts

Somatic cell hybrids were isolated from fusions of diploid embryonic rat fibroblasts with transformed Rat-1 cells which contained 4 to 5 copies of the transforming human Ha-ras 1 gene. In contrast to their transformed parental cells four hybrid clones showed normal morphology, long latency periods of tumorigenicity in newborn rats, anchorage requirement of proliferation, and an eightfold-reduced amount of secreted transforming growth factor activity. Thus these hybrids are called suppressed with regard to expression of the Ha-ras-induced transformed phenotype. Tumorigenic derivatives of the suppressed hybrids that had segregated chromosomes were isolated. Since two of the tumorigenic hybrid clones showed the similar low level of secreted transforming growth factors as the suppressed hybrids, decreased production of transforming growth factor activity is unlikely to be a sufficient criterion for suppression of malignancy. Whereas one of the suppressed hybrids expressed the transforming gene product p21 at a level similar to that of the transformed parental cells, other suppressed hybrids expressed less p21. This suggests that the suppressed phenotype can be regulated at the posttranslational level of p21 but that additional controls of expression of p21 are likely to exist. DNA of the suppressed hybrids transformed Rat-1 cells to proliferation in the presence of semisolid agar. Thus the activated human Ha-ras gene in the suppressed hybrids retained its biological activity even though it did not transform these cells to tumorigenicity.

Suppression and re-expression of transformed phenotype in hybrids of HA-ras-1-transformed rat-1 cells and early-passage rat embryonic fibroblasts

Rat-1 cells which had been transformed with the activated Ha-ras-1 gene from human EJ bladder carcinoma cells were fused with diploid embryonic rat fibroblasts. Four selected cell hybrids expressed the human transforming gene product p21 at levels of 10 to 30% compared to 100% in the transformed parental cells. The hybrid cells, however, exhibited normal morphology, anchorage requirement for proliferation, and largely extended latency periods of tumorigenicity in newborn rats. Tumorigenic hybrid derivatives contained lower numbers of chromosomes than the tetraploid parental hybrids. DNA of the non-tumorigenic cell hybrids transformed Rat-1 cells to anchorage-independent proliferation as expected for the transforming human Ha-ras gene present in the donor DNA. We conclude that the transforming properties of the activated Ha-ras gene in Rat-1 cells can be suppressed at the post-translational level by the presence of the genome from diploid embryonic rat fibroblasts but additional controls of expression of the transforming gene are likely to exist. Normal cells contain suppressor gene(s) which safeguard these cells against transformation by the product of the transforming Ha-ras-1 oncogene.

Hematopoietic growth and differentiation factors and the reversibility of malignancy: cell differentiation and by-passing of genetic defects in leukemia

Our development of systems for the in vitro cloning and clonal differentiation of normal hematopoietic cells made it possible to identify: the factors that regulate growth and differentiation of these normal cells; the changes in the normal development program that result in leukemia, and how to reverse malignancy in leukemic cells. I have mainly used myeloid cells as a model system. Normal hematopoietic cells require different proteins to induce growth (growth factors) and differentiation (differentiation factors). There is a multigene family for these factors. Identification of these factors and their interaction has shown how growth and differentiation can be normally coupled. The development of leukemia involves the uncoupling of growth and differentiation. This can occur by changing the requirement for growth without blocking cell response to the normal inducers of differentiation. Addition of normal differentiation factors to these malignant cells still induces their normal differentiation, and the mature cells are then no longer malignant. Genetic changes which inhibit differentiation by normal differentiation factors can occur in the progression of leukemia, but even these leukemic cells may still be induced to differentiate by other compounds, including low doses of compounds now being used in cancer therapy, that can induce differentiation by alternative pathways. The differentiation of leukemic to mature cells results in the reversion of malignancy by by-passing genetic changes that produce the malignant phenotype. We have obtained this differentiation of leukemic cells in vitro and in vivo, and by-passing genetic defects by inducing differentiation can be a useful approach to therapy.

Evolution of tumours and the impact of molecular oncology

It is generally accepted that tumours arise through the accumulation of several changes affecting the control of cell growth. Recent advances in molecular biology have made it possible to define some of these changes in molecular terms and to trace the steps by which certain tumours evolve.

Genetic analysis of tumorigenesis: XXI. Suppressor genes in CHEF cells

In previous studies, fusions of transformed X nontransformed CHEF cells have produced hybrids that were suppressed for transformed traits and for tumor formation. During subsequent growth, the suppressed phenotypes were lost coincident with chromosome loss, and in one study the loss of anchorage dependence was correlated with loss of chromosome 1. In this paper, suppression of serum and anchorage requirements for growth is examined with the use of double-mutant tester stocks. Nontumorigenic low serum mutants from CHEF/18 cells are shown to complement with the lowered serum requirement of CHEF/16, a tumorigenic line, indicating that the high serum requirement is dominant and regulated by at least two genes. Similar results were previously reported for the anchorage requirement. Suppression of the two traits is found to segregate independently in hybrid subclones with reduced chromosome numbers, showing that different genes control suppression of the serum and anchorage requirements. Evidence for two modes of suppression, by dominant alleles of transformation genes and by unrelated genes, is presented and discussed.

Suggestive evidence that the highly metastatic variant ESb of the T-cell lymphoma Eb is derived from spontaneous fusion with a host macrophage

Two lines of evidence are reported which suggest that the highly metastatic variant ESb of the T-cell lymphoma Eb is derived from spontaneous fusion with a host macrophage. Firstly, ESb cells are shown to express the macrophage differentiation antigen Mac-1 which was not found on Eb cells or on any other tumor cells tested except the macrophage tumor line Pu5. Secondly, the progression from low to high metastatic capacity could be reproduced in vitro following hybridization of thioguanine-resistant Eb cells (EbTGR) with syngeneic bone-marrow-derived macrophages. Two HAT medium-selected hybrid tumor lines (Eb-F1 and Eb-F2) could be established. They were found to express cell surface markers of both parental lines: T lymphoid differentiation antigens from T-lymphoma and macrophage antigens (Mac-1, class II MHC antigens) from the normal cell fusion partner. The antigens were identified on the hybrids and subclones thereof by means of monoclonal antibodies and 3 different detection assays: cytofluorography, complement-dependent cytotoxicity and immunoprecipitation followed by gel electrophoresis. Animals inoculated s.c. with the parental line EbTGR developed local tumors but not metastases and survived for more than 40 days. In contrast, animals inoculated similarly with Eb-F1 or Eb-F2 cells quickly developed metastases in visceral organs and died as early as 10-14 days following inoculation. In many but not all respects, the in vitro-derived T-lymphoma-macrophage hybrids resembled the spontaneous in vivo-derived variant ESb. These findings, together with the presence of Mac-1 antigen on ESb cells, suggest (1) that ESb variant cells may be derived from spontaneous fusion with a host cell, most likely a macrophage and (2) that somatic cell fusion may be an important mechanism of genetic rearrangements leading to metastatic variants. The new highly metastatic tumor lines which were developed under well-defined in vitro conditions, and their subclones, may become very useful tools for studying the contribution of specific genetic traits and of membrane-related structures to various steps of the metastatic process.

The ability of normal mouse cells to reduce the malignant potential of transformed mouse bladder epithelial cells depends on their somatic origin

Somatic cell hybrids have been made between a transformed mouse bladder carcinoma cell line and normal mouse bladder epithelium and mesenchyme. In the epithelial tumour/mesenchyme hybrids the malignant phenotype was expressed dominantly whereas in the carcinoma/normal epithelium hybrids the malignant potential was greatly reduced. In both cases the dominant in vitro and in vivo phenotype was that of the normal parental cells. All hybrid tumours were first palpable after 4-7 days, demonstrating that the tumours had not arisen as a result of in vivo selection of a sub-population of tumorigenic cells. Chromosome analysis showed that the carcinoma/normal epithelium hybrids were all in the hypertetraploid range but the large variation in the karyotypic profile of each hybrid made it impossible to implicate any specific chromosomes in the control of expression of the malignant phenotype. During normal development in bladder epithelium, terminal differentiation is associated with tetraploid formation by cell fusion. The reduction in malignancy of the carcinoma/normal epithelium hybrids may perhaps be due to the expression of genes associated with normal terminal differentiation after cell fusion and tetraploid formation. This is also supported by the more differentiated phenotype of the hybrid tumours. Of the 10 mesenchyme/epithelium hybrids analysed cytogenetically , four were in the hypertetraploid range from which little meaningful data could be obtained about specific chromosome losses. Chromosome analysis of the cells from the near-tetraploid hybrids showed only minor differences from what might have been expected from the input of the two parents; these differences appeared to be due to random chromosome loss. The maximum number of chromosomes lost from any of the hybrids was five, although one, two or three was more usual. The only consistent chromosome loss was of a single copy of chromosome 4, which in two of the hybrids represented the only chromosome change. The possibility that this loss might facilitate re-expression of the malignant phenotype is discussed.

Somatic cell fusion as a source of genetic rearrangement leading to metastatic variants

Tumor cell populations displaying metastatic properties often have higher gene dosage than their less malignant progenitor tumors, as shown by increased ploidy levels, chromosome duplication and gene amplification. The acquisition by tumor cells of high chromosome numbers may be due to endoreduplication or somatic hybridization either between tumor cells or between tumor and host cells. All such mechanisms increase genetic variability and instability in tumor cells since they trigger a polyploidization-segregation cycle. Among the wide variety of segregants which may emerge from high-ploidy cells, variants with increased malignancy can be positively selected in vivo. Evidence for in vivo fusion of tumor and normal host cells has been reported in different tumor systems. However the attainment by tumor-host hybrids of a higher degree of malignancy has only been observed following substantial chromosome segregation. The involvement of a cell of bone marrow origin as preferential host partner in the fusion process has been proved both by studies on tumor-host hybrids in bone marrow radiation chimeras and in vitro hybridization experiments between non-metastatic tumors and normal lymphoreticular cells which have led to the establishment of metastatic variants. Several different segregational mechanisms may bring about homozygosity or hemizygosity of recessive alleles in tumor-host hybrids, leading to their expression. The marked chromosome dynamics of tumor-host hybrids are also responsible for extensive chromosome rearrangements. At the molecular level these may represent mechanisms causing altered oncogene activity. The activation of new oncogenes by transposition or amplification as well as the amplification of previously activated oncogenes are the mechanisms most likely to be responsible for transition from low to high malignancy, occurring through ploidy changes, such as those produced by somatic mating.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in two children with a congenital chromosome anomaly: familial inv(11)(p15q13) in one and ring chromosome No. 21 in the other

A congenital chromosome abnormality was found in two unrelated children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In the first case, a pericentric inversion of chromosome No. 11, inv(11)(p15q13), was observed and discovered to be familial, being present in five other members of the family over two generations. In the second case, the presence of a congenital ring chromosome No. 21, 46,XX,r(21), was considered to be the result of a de novo mutation. The possible relation between these congenital chromosome anomalies and a predisposition to neoplasia is discussed and could be explained by different mechanisms: (1) amplification of oncogenic determinants by gene duplication, and/or (2) alteration of the effects of wildtype alleles through deletion or changes in position.