[Electrokinetic property of brain tumor cells by the aid of free flow electrophoresis (author's transl)].

Malignant transformation in tumors is characterized by changes in cell surface components such as glycolipids and glycoproteins and is determined by the sialic acid content of the glycoconjugates. Our purpose was to investigate whether or not a similar change occurred in the brain tumor cells during malignant transformation. Change in the electrical charge of the cell surface was studied by means of cell electrophoresis. Experimental cell lines of rat gliomas and fibroblasts were cultured and compared for electrical charge by cell electrophoresis. Four various grade gliomas and three meningiomas from human subjects were cultured and compared for electrical charge by cell electrophoresis. Free flow electrophoresis (Elphar Vap 5) was used because it characteristically does not interfere with the use of the cells for biochemical and biological studies following electrophoresis and because it also allows the possibility of subsequent cell culture. The rat glioma cells had lower electrical charges than the fibroblasts, and the human malignant brain tumor cells exhibited lower electrical charges than the benign tumor cells. These findings suggest a lower sialic acid content in malignant than in benign tumors and agree with theories which postulate a decrease in sialic acid content accompanying malignant transformation. This differentiation between benign and malignant tumors was made on the basis of the cell surface electrical charge and could be used for clinical diagnosis and treatment.