Establishment and characterization of a new cell line (VHB-1) derived from a primary breast carcinoma

A continuous line of human breast carcinoma cells, VHB-1, was established in culture following collagenase treatment of an infiltrating duct cell carcinoma. The cells displayed an epithelial pattern and multiplied rapidly. Maintained in monolayer culture, the VHB-1 cells exhibited a 30-h doubling time and a plating efficiency of 20%. The cells possessed an abnormal karyotype with a mode of 70-74 chromosomes per cell. The karyotype was heavily rearranged and numerous marker chromosomes were found. Transplantation of the cells into nude mice produced tumors bearing histological resemblance to the original material. The VHB-1 cells contained significant levels of prolactin receptors, were steroid hormone (estrogen, progesterone, androgen, glucocorticoid) receptor positive, and were capable of functional differentiation in vitro. These characteristics make the VHB-1 cell line a suitable model for studying the biological properties of human breast tumors.