Role of asialo-G sub(M1) positive liver cells from athymic nude or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid-treated mice in suppressing colon-derived experimental hepatic metastasis

Liver-derived (LD) murine colon adenocarcinoma MCA-38 cells injected into the ileocolic vein (ICV) of C57BL/6 mice developed distinct hepatic foci within 14-21 days and survived for an average of 19-35 days. In contrast, C57BL/6-nu/nu mice given injections of LD-MCA cells by the same route did not develop hepatic lesions. Treatment of athymic nude mice or poly(IC)-treated conventional mice with anti-AsG sub(M1) induced significant numbers of foci and significantly decreased the life span of MCA-38-bearing mice suggesting that AsG sub(M1)-positive cells in the liver of these mice may inhibit tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, the host defense system of the liver from athymic nude or poly(IC)-treated mice possess AsG sub(M1)-positive cells that can suppress tumor implantation or tumor growth in the early stages of metastasis in liver.