Alkyllysophospholipid influenced melanoma cell morphology is associated with decreased attachment to basement membrane.

The alkyllysophospholipid analog 1-0-octadecyl-2-0-methyl-3-phosphorylcholine (ET-18-OCH3) was examined for possible anti attachment effects on B16-F10 murine melanoma cells in vitro. At sub-lethal lipid concentrations B16-F10 cells were inhibited from attaching to reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) during a 45 min assay. This type of inhibition was also imparted by the isoprenoid farnesol but not by egg lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) at concentrations up to 10 micrograms/ml. Both lipids were toxic to B16-F10 cells in the absence of bovine serum albumin (BSA), BSA (0.1%) completely protected the cells from lysis except when both lipids were combined as a mixture. Light and electron microscopy, as well as electronic sizing of cells, gave evidence of alkyllysophospholipid induced reduction in cell size which correlated well with attachment inhibition. The results suggest that alkyllysophospholipid induced reduction of cell surface area leads to inhibition of cell attachment to basement membrane which 8 with our experimental conditions, was not permanent since cells eventually attach within 24 h after treatment. The enhanced lytic effect the lysophospholipid imparts on the alkyl compound, in conjunction with the anti-attachment properties should be important areas for future research.