KITLG and neoplasm: Our results show that for both endothelial cell lines the strength of their adhesive interactions with MB231 tumor cells vary significantly dependent on their growth state (Fig 6) so that both HBMEC-60 and HPMEC exhibit stronger adhesion with MB231 when they are in a single cell state (NCF and Mgrt) compared with the growth states when ECs interact with each other (SCF and CF).