Morphological and phenotypic characterization of a new established ovarian carcinoma cell line (OvBH-1)

A limited number of permanent ovarian carcinoma cell lines have been described so far and the majority of them have been derived from ovarian ascitic fluid cells taken from patients with serous ovarian carcinoma usually after chemotherapy treatment.

The cells for culture were obtained from ascitic fluid cells of a patient with ovarian clear cell carcinoma. Cytomorphological analysis of cultured cells at early and late passages was performed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Immunophenotypic characterization of cells was performed using the following monoclonal antibodies against: intermediated cellular filaments (CK 6/18, CK 7, CK 1,5,6,8,10,14,18, V9) ovarian carcinoma-associated antigens (OC125, OV-TL3), carcinoembryonic antigen, p53 and c-erbB-2 oncoproteins.

In the established ovarian carcinoma cell line (OvBH-1) two morphologically distinct cell types were recognized. Cytomorphologically the dominating type appears to frankly malignant features. The second cell subtype showed a lower degree of malignant features. The epithelial origin of both cell types was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining using antibodies against different cytokeratin epitopes. The expression of tumor-associated antigens (CA125, OV-TL3) was found in both cell subtypes reflecting their origin from ovarian carcinoma. The cell line was negative for CEA staining. The genetic defects of cultured cells were revealed by detection of p53 and c-erbB-2 overexpression. The level of both oncoproteins and especially c-erbB-2 was higher in the cell subtype with frankly malignant morphological features.

A new established, well characterized ovarian clear cell carcinoma line OvBH-1 provides an experimental model for further investigation of the biological alterations responsible for carcinogenesis and chemoresistance of this uncommon subtype of epithelial ovarian carcinomas.