The effects of endotoxin on cell detachment in vitro

The effects of endotoxin from E. coli and F. polymorphum on cell detachment was studied in vitro. L929 mouse fibroblasts or Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells, cultured adherent to glass surfaces, were incubated with doses of endotoxin ranging from 5 to 200 μg/ml in serum-free media for 30 min. Cell detachment was assessed following exposure of cells to a known shearing force. Statistically significant facilitation of cell detachment was detected with doses of endotoxin of 10 μg/ml and higher. This detachment occurred in absence of demonstrable complement.