Development of metastatic tumors in athymic (nude) mice from LM cells grown in vitro

The capacity of LM cells to initiate tumor formation in vivo was investigated in athymic (nude) BALB/c mice. Tumor cells inoculated s.c. over the left thighs of mice formed large, grossly visible tumors within 2 weeks postinoculation. Tumor doubling times were slightly longer than doubling times of LM cells in suspension culture. Histological examination of necropsied mice revealed that tumor cells were invasive into host tissue and formed numerous bizarre mitotic figures. The tumors were classified a fibrosarcoma-like tumors. Metastasis to the lungs was observed in nude mice inoculated with a variety of tumor cells. LM cells cultured in the presence of choline analogues (N,N'-dimethylethanolamine, N-monomethylethanolamine, or ethanolamine) had grossly altered membrane lipid compositions. However, all formed tumors in the nude mice with tumor volume doubling times similar to that of LM cells grown in choline medium. LM cells grown with 10% calf serum had doubling times about 42% shorter. LM fibroblasts injected into nude mice provide a model system for investigation of tumor biology related to metastasis formation.