Alterations in morphology of REF cells induced by growth factors produced by ASV-transformed (GCA) cells.

Morphological changes (in shape and pattern of growth in culture) of REF cells, characteristic for transformed cells, appeared after incubation with AE-GCA (acid extract of GCA cells). The surface alterations of REF caused by growth factor produced by GCA cells, such a appearance of membrane ruffles, finger-like structures, increase in the number of coated pits and in the number of blebs varying in size were also described. These alterations in cell morphology and cell surface suggest that growth factors present in AE-GCA (obtained from ASV-transformed rat kidney line), have a biological activity characteristic for many polypeptide growth factors.