The influence of serum for spreading of tumor cells on synthetic glycolipid films

Adhesion and spreading of tumor cells to the films of a galactose-, glucose-, or phosphatidylcholine-bearing lipid was studied. Human adenocarcinoma Hela cells, B16 mouse melanoma cells, and HuH-7 human hepatoma cells selectively adhered and spread on galactose-bearing lipid in serum-containing medium, but not in serum-free medium. The spreading of the tumor cells in serum-containing medium was inhibited in the presence of lactose, but not in the presence of maltose. Cell spreading also occured on the galactose-bearing glycolipid film pre-treated with serum. From quantitative analysis for the adsorption of serum components by a quartz-crystal microbalance, the surfaces of the lipid films were found to be entirely covered with serum components. These results suggested that serum components pre-adsorbed on the galactose-bearing lipid influence the cell spreading.