[Establishment and characterization of a human malignant fibrous histiocytoma cell line (K-MFH-1)]

We established and characterized a cell line (K-MFH-1) of human malignant fibrous histiocytoma in vitro and in nude mice. The cells have been kept in culture for nearly 4 years in 121 subcultures in vitro and transferred serially in nude mice in 10 generations. The original tumor histology was epithelioid, angiomatoid variant of MFH, but cells in culture showed a variety of morphology. Chromosomal study disclosed that this tumor was monoclonal in origin. Electron microscopic study revealed that cells had some epithelial characteristics as well as histiofibroblastic features. Tumor cell morphology gradually shifted from epithelioid to myxomatous fibroblastic forms after serial transplantations in nude mice. Some tumors showed an extensive vascular proliferation like angioma suggesting that tumor cells have released angiogenic factors.