HUMAN TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR-ALPHA INHIBITS GLUCOSE-TRANSPORT IN CULTURED EHRLICH ASCITES TUMOR-CELLS

Human recombinant tumour necrosis factor-alpha (rhTNF-alpha) arrested the growth of Ehrlich ascites tumour (EAT) cells in vitro. It suppress ed cellular glucose uptake and decreased the membrane density of gluco se transporters as measured by glucose-reversible cytochalasin B bindi ng. The glucose transporters' affinity for substrate was also reduced. However, rhTNF-alpha treatment exerted no effect on the phosphoribosy l pyrophosphate level in EAT cells. The role of rhTNF-alpha on the inh ibition of glucose transport of tumour cells is discussed.