Studies on the morphological patterns of asbestos induced mesotheliomas in vivo and in vitro

Cell lines were established in vitro from five peritoneal mesotheliomas produced in rats by the injection of crocidolite asbestos. These tumours exhibited the previously described diverse range of histological patterns normally associated with mesotheliomas. This diversity of appearance was also evident in culture but cell patterns in vitro did not necessarily correspond to the histology of the original tumour. With increased time in culture most cell lines tended towards a pattern of random orientation associated with the piling up of cells to form discrete masses. Despite this variation in cell pattern in culture, few ultrastructural differences were seen during electron microscope examination. Following varying periods in culture, some cell lines from these tumours were injected into either rats or athymic mice. Only one typical rat mesothelioma was produced but all cell lines produced tumours in athymic mice. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the aetiology of asbestos induced mesotheliomas.