Studies on the Fc receptor bearing cells in a transplanted methylcholanthrene induced mouse fibrosarcoma

The presence of Fc receptors on the surface of cell suspensions obtained from a transplanted isogeneic methylcholanthrene induced murine fibrosarcoma has been investigated by determining the capacity of such cells to form rosettes with antibody coated SRBC. These studies indicate that a large percentage of cells in the tumour had Fc receptors on their surface. The proportion of such cells was increased by reducing the number of cells transplanted, by administering cyclophosphamide to the host, and on occasions by the i.p. injection of C. parvum. It was largely unaffected by the route of tumour cell transplantation or by T cell depletion of the host before transplantation but appeared to decline in older (i.e. larger) tumours. Both phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells had Fc receptors on their surface. The phagocytic population appeared to be affected most by procedures which altered the overall percentage of Fc receptor bearing cells. The Fc receptor bearing tumour cells were separated from those devoid of Fc receptors on the basis of their adherent properties. Upon transplantation to isogeneic hosts both populations gave rise to tumours containing a high percentage of Fc receptor bearing cells. These studies suggest that many of the Fc receptor bearing cells in our tumour are probably infiltrating cells of host origin. Their significance in relation to tumour growth remains to be established.