Study of the motility and contractility of cultured brain-tumor cells

The motility of cultured cells and contractility of their cytoplasmic microfilament system were studied in benign compared with malignant brain-tumor cells. Motility of cultured cells was continuously monitored in a perfusion chamber by a computerized microscope system equipped with an autotracking device. The contractility of the microfilament system was defined by the increase in cell motility when the cell was perfused with an antimicrofilamentous agent, cytochalasin B. The motility and contractility of malignant cells were greater than those of benign cells. The increased contractility of malignant astrocytoma cells was associated with conspicuous morphological changes on electron microscopy. No significant change was observed in the motility, contractility, or morphology in various cells during perfusion with an antimicrotubular agent, colchicine. The significant differences in the motility and contractility of benign compared with malignant cells are believed to originate from qualitative differences of the microfilament system.