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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

In Vitro Evaluation of Oncogenic Transformation in Human Mammary Epithelial Cells
Published on: September 24, 2020
Role of elevated temperature in malignant transformation of mammalian cells in vitro
B Marczynska1, C M Bergholz, L G Wolfe
1Department of Microbiology, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's and University of Illinois Medical Centers, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA.
Abstract:
Rat embryo cells subjected in vitro to transient incubation at an elevated temperature (39 degrees C) became transformed and induced fibrosarcomas in both homologous and heterologous hosts. Malignant transformation correlated with the occurrence of karyotypic changes which appeared long after incubation at 39 degrees C and subsequent return to 37 degrees C. Control cultures incubated at only 37 degrees C did not show similar chromosomal changes or induce tumors and remained predominantly diploid during the same observation period. In contrast to rat embryo cells, marmoset monkey cell cultures incubated at 39 degrees C did not develop characteristics of transformed cells.
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