NCL-SG3: a human eccrine sweat gland cell line that retains the capacity for transepithelial ion transport

An ion-transporting human epithelial cell line, NCL-SG3, has been established by simian virus 40 (SV40) infection of primary cultures from eccrine sweat glands. The line has been passaged 38 times (over 100 population doublings), has an aneuploid karyotype but has not undergone any 'crisis'. The cells have retained epithelial morphology and expression of cytokeratin, the intermediate filament characteristic of epithelial cells. Approximately 85% of the population shows at least weak co-expression of vimentin, an intermediate filament associated with mesenchymal and some other non-epithelial cell types in vivo. In addition, SV40 large T-antigen is present, in a predominantly nuclear localization. Electrically resistant cell sheets are formed on dialysis tubing and cellulose-ester permeable supports. Electrogenic ion transport can be stimulated by the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (10(-6) M) and by lysylbradykinin (10(-7) M) but not by the cholinergic agonist carbachol at 10(-6) M).