title: Rapid dissociation of adherent human tumor cells by ultrasound.
abstract: Cultured human melanoma and gastrointestinal carcinoma cells were detached from substrate and further dissociated by placing the culture vessel into a water-filled ultrasonic cleaner (43 kHz) and sonicating it for 10-50 s. Plating efficiency and long-term growth of three melanoma cell lines were similar after ultrasound or trypsin detachment. Binding of monoclonal antibodies that define normal and tumor-associated antigens on melanoma and colorectal carcinoma cells was not affected by ultrasound in 21 out of 23 cases. The 40 kDa colorectal carcinoma-associated antigen defined by monoclonal antibody CO 17-1A was more highly expressed after ultrasonication than trypsinization. The antigen defined by antibody CO 44.1 on these cells was more sensitive to sonication. This method represents a rapid, effective and gentle alternative to trypsin detachment of cultured cells, especially when repeated cell washing or centrifugation steps are required.
authors.affiliation: Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Menssen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herlyn
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rodeck
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koprowski
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002455:Cell Division; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D014357:Trypsin; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000166:cytology*; D014465:Ultrasonics
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D014357:Trypsin