Distribution pattern of concanavalin A on carcinoma cells, histiocytes and mesothelial cells from effusions.

Fixed and unfixed cancer cells, mesothelial cells and histiocytes were exposed to fluorescein-labeled concanavalin A (ConA-FITC). Cancer cells, whether fixed or unfixed, showed a similar pattern of fluorescence, as a continuous layer over the whole periphery of the cell. This pattern of ConA-FITC distribution was also obtained on fixed mesothelial cells and fixed histiocytes. Redistribution of ConA-FITC in form of "caps" and "patches" was recorded on unfixed mesothelial cells and unfixed histiocytes. Of the three cell types studied, only the histiocytes were lysed by the incubation with ConA-FITC.