Hydrolytic enzymes (acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase) in cultured brain tumors.

A histochemical study of hydrolytic enzymes such as acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase was made on cultured brain tumor cells. Well-differentiated astrocytic cells, oligodendroglioma cells, and medulloblastoma cells showed low activities. Migrating cells and macrophage-like cells showed intense activities. Meningioma cells and schwannoma cells showed relatively intense activities at the early stage of cultivation. At the aged stage, the former showed a characteristic pattern of reaction products. The intensity and distribution of beta-glucuronidase were similar to those of acid phosphatase in cultured brain tumors. The relationship of hydrolytic enzymes to cellular differentiation and viability was discussed.