Characterization of a new p53-mutated and hpv-negative human squamous-cell cervical carcinoma-derived cell-line

A new cell line, designated IGR/Cut40, has been established from a stage II squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. These cells, which have a tetraploid DNA content and typical epithelial features, displayed a high proliferation rate and a powerful tumorigenic potential in immunodeficient mice. No human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA was detected using PCR and consensus primers. Sequencing of p53 cDNA revealed a mutation CGC(Arg)-->CAC(His) at codon 175 of the gene encoding for an abundant nuclear protein. IGR/Cut40 cell line should permit a better understanding of the HPV-infection-unrelated tumorigenesis of the uterine cervix.