Characterization of hyaluronectin in human tumour heterografts in the nude mouse.

Three established cell lines derived from three human astrocytomas were grafted into nude mice. Hyaluronectin, a marker of loose connective tissue, was detected in the grafts. The histopathology and the hyaluronectin staining were similar to those of the tumours of origin. Absorption experiments demonstrate that one of the three human grafted tumours (CB 109) contains a human type hyaluronectin, in contrast to the other two. In these two grafts, hyaluronectin is a constituent of the host stromal reaction, whereas in the CB 109 graft hyaluronectin apparently originates from the human tumour cells. This tumour could be used to test the production of human hyaluronectin in vitro and in vivo.