[Cell coat modifications in a series of gliomas as a function of malignancy].

We have compared the cell coat of benign gliomas and of malignant gliomas, by Ruthenium Red staining in vitro and by Thiéry's cytochemical reaction in situ. The thickness of the cell coat is not significantly increased by malignancy on the free surfaces of glioma cells. But in malignant gliomas only the cell coat disappears on the intercellular contact zones. These modifications are related to cell fusion characteristics of malignant transformation.