Morphology and proliferation of B16 melanoma cells in the presence of lanthanoid and Al³⁺ ions

The effects of trivalent metal ions such as lanthanoid (La³⁺, Ce³⁺, Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺, Gd³⁺, Er³⁺, Yb³⁺, Lu³⁺) and Al³⁺ ions on the morphological change and proliferation of B16 melanoma cells in culture are discussed. These metal ions induced morphological transformations and decreased growth rates at doses of 1 mM, B16 melanoma cells treated with La³⁺, Ce³⁺, Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺, and Gd³⁺ showed polyhedrical spreading. Elongation of axones was dependent on the metal ions, B16 melanoma cells treated with Er³⁺, Yb³⁺, Lu³⁺, and Al³⁺ showed a long slender shape. Growth rates of melanoma cells in the presence of 1 mM of metal ions (La³⁺, Ce³⁺, Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺, Gd³⁺, Yb³⁺, Al³⁺) were significantly lower than that of control cells. Measurements of cell cycle indicated that the metal ions arrested the transitions from G₀/G₁, to S state.