Cellular functions related to metastasis differing between low- and high-malignancy variants of AKR lymphoma

Two AKR lymphoma variants of low (LM) and high (HM) malignancy were characterized for cell properties important for metastatic capacity. Previous data suggested that these murine lymphoma variants differed in the late phase of metastasis. In the present study we attempted to determine more accurately the stage in which they differ. The HM cells attached less efficiently than the LM ones to both endothelial cells (5 times) and extracellular matrix (twice), possibly indicating a more efficient extravasation capacity of the HM cells. The level of heparinase was low in the two variant cells. Attachment to liver sections was, however, more efficient with the HM than with the LM cells.