A virus antigen (HBsAg) indicates metastases of human carcinoma cells in the nude mouse.
The human hepatoma cell line PLC/PRF/5 produces tumours and lung metastases in nude athymic mice. Here we describe how detection of hepatitis B virus surface antigen, a marker of these cells, as led to identification of pancreatic and muscle metastases. The antigen was shown in the tissues, and antigen-producing PLC/PRF/5 cells were isolated from them. The number of cells detectable by this method is between 5 and 10 million. The principle used here may be adaptable be useful in studying micrometastasis formation in other systems.
D000818:Animals; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus; D006801:Humans; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens