Characteristics of the chemotactic factor-mediated cell swelling response of tumor cells

The interaction between Walker carcinosarcoma cells, maintained in ascites form in noninbred Sprague-Dawley rats and in cell culture, and appropriate factors induced directed migration (chemotaxis) of these cells as measured in the Boyden chamber assay. The response of the tumor cells to these factors was very similar to that of leukocytes to their chemotactic factors. In addition to inducing chemotactic responses, the interaction between Walker carcinosarcoma cells and appropriate chemotactic factors also led to a swelling of the cells, which could be measured with the use of Coulter Channelyzer C-1000. Associated with the cell-swelling response was a temporary drop in the cell count of a suspension of cells as measured with the use of a Coulter counter, model ZBI. These responses were also similar to what occurs when leukocytes interact with their chemotactic factors. When the suspension of tumor cells was pretreated with 2-deoxyglucose, the responses measured with the Coulter counters were almost completely abrogated. In contrast to this, treatment of the cells with various chemical agents, including cytochalasin B, colchicine, cycloheximide, chlorpromazine, and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 failed to significantly reduce the cell-swelling response. Cytochalasin B slightly potentiated the response. These similarities to the responses of leukocytes suggested a common underlying mechanism.