Pseudocyst formation by adenoid cystic carcinoma cells in collagen gel culture and in SCID mice.

In order to reconstruct the characteristic three-dimensional architecture of adenoid cystic carcinoma, we cultured ACC2 cells, a cell system established from a human adenoid cystic carcinoma of the palate, in collagen gel matrix and transplanted them in SCID mice. In the collagen gel culture, the cells formed spherical colonies measuring 75.6 +/- 14.6 microns in diameter by 6 days after seeding. The tumor cell nests contained vacuolar structures that were immunopositive for heparan sulfate proteoglycan, type III collagen, type IV collagen, and fibronectin. The rim of the nests was argyrophilic and immunopositive for type I collagen, type IV collagen, laminin, and fibronectin. Transplants of ACC2 cells in SCID mice grew to form tumor masses in which pseudocysts were formed. The results indicate that our collagen gel culture system provides physiological conditions for ACC2 cells to secrete particular extracellular matrix molecules and form pseudocystic spaces.