Effect of epidermal growth factor on membrane motility and cell locomotion in cultures of human clonal glioma cells

Two clones, designated Cl 2 and Cl 3, were established from the human malignant glioma line U‐343 MGa. The astrocytic origin of the cells was proven by the presence in virtually 100% of the cells of the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein. The addition of 10 ng epidermal growth factor (EGF) per milliliter to Cl 2 and Cl 3 cells resulted in the rapid appearance of large cell surface ruffles, visualized by scanning electron microscopy. A time course study by phase contract microscopy showed that the maximal ruffling activity occurred 5 minutes after addition of EGF. Under basic culture conditions (Eagle's MEM, 10% fetal calf serum), Cl 2 and Cl 3 cells were essentially immobile and formed tightly packed, wel demarcated colonies. In the presence of 10 ng EGF per milliliter, no defined colonies were formed and the cells seemed to move around freely. The stimulatory effect of EGF on cell migration was confirmed by growing the cells on a deposit of colloidal gold; in the absence of EGF, the cells remained immobile whereas cells grown at 10 ng EGF per ml formed long phagokinetic tracks. The effect of EGF on membrane motility and cell locomotion occurred in the absence of any effect of EGF on growth rate; both clones multiplied at the same rate in the absence as in the presence of EGF. Binding experiments using 125I‐labeled EGF demonstrated a single class of high affinity receptors. The number of 180,000 receptors per cell was estimated in both clones. The finding that human glioma cells in culture require EGF for their migration raises the interesting possibility that tumor cells in vivo may respond in a similar fashion, and in that case require a growth factor for migration and for the expression of their infiltrative growth potential. Furthermore, the present findings strengthen the notion that glial cells should be recognized as targets for EGF.