Cell adhesion and migration of different human colon cell lines and primary tumors

Several cell lines derived from colon tumors (HT-29, WiDr, PT4, PT5) and from human liver metastases (LM3) and primary human colon tumor cells (PTR) were compared with regard to their ability to migrate and to attach to different substrates (collagen G, laminin, fibronectin). Cells from the WiDr cell lines migrated actively, whereas the other cell lines, and LM3 and the PTs showed almost no migratory activity. The attachment efficiency was best in all cell lines assayed when tested on collagen followed by laminin and fibronectin as substrates. The HT-29 cells showed the strongest adhesion to all substrates, while the adhesiveness of PT4, PT5, and LM3 was reduced. The WiDr cells which migrated best showed the lowest adhesion to the substrates.