Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis δ-Endotoxin on Insect and Mammalian Cells In Vitro

Abstract
The cytotoxic response of B. thuringiensis .delta.-endotoxin with swelling like a balloon and bursting seemed to be universal on the cells taken from insects in vitro, while cells developed from mammalian origin showed no morphological changes even at the ultrastructural level. .delta.-Endotoxin may not have other effects on mammalian cells, such as growth-inhibition of [rat] Yoshida ascites sarcoma cells and release-stimulation of UV-absorbing substances from mouse sarcoma 180 ascites cells into the medium.