[Mechanical properties of the intercellular contacts of hepatocytes of inbred strains of mice and mice predisposed to spontaneous hepatomas].

The adhesiveness of hepatocytes was evaluated in 7 inbred mice and compared to the reported data on the incidence of spontaneous hepatomas. The adhesiveness was shown to be significantly less in mice predisposed to spontaneous hepatomas as compared to more resistant species. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of little and highly adhesive areas (HAA) in nonspecialized regions of hepatocytic contacts, this presence being shown by elevated (20-30 mm Hg) hydrostatic pressure in the liver blood bed. The amount and mechanical strength of HAA was less in CBA mice predisposed to spontaneous hepatomas as compared to resistant C57B1 mice, and correlated with cell adhesiveness.