INDUCTION OF SARCOMAS IN NUDE-MICE BY IMPLANTATION OF SYRIAN-HAMSTER FETAL CELLS EXPOSED INVITRO TO NICKEL SUBSULFIDE

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 39  (9) , 3591-3597
Abstract
In vitro exposure of Syrian hamster fetal cells to nickel subsulfide (.alpha.Ni3S2) yielded positive colony assays for morphological transformation. A dose-response relationship was found between the concentration of .alpha.Ni3S2 and the incidence of morphological transformation. Exposure of .alpha.Ni3S2 induced morphological transformation at concentrations (0.1 or 1.0 .mu.g/ml of culture medium) which did not impair cell plating efficiency. Nickel monosulfide (NiS) did not induce morphological transformation of Syrian hamster fetal cells under the same conditions. Clones of .alpha.Ni3S2-transformed cells were able to grow in soft agar medium and demonstrated increased basal and induced activities of ornithine decarboxylase. Undifferentiated sarcomas developed in 26 of 27 nude mice at the site of s.c. injection of clones of .alpha.Ni3S2-transformed cells. No tumors developed in 19 control nude mice which were given s.c. injections of nontransformed Syrian hamster fetal cells which were not exposed to .alpha.Ni3S2. Fetal cells which undergo transformation following exposure to .alpha.Ni3S2 are capable of producing malignant tumors in nude mice.