Multipotentiality of yolk-sac carcinoma cell clones

Yolk-sac carcinoma (YSCa) clones were isolated by manual cloning under visual control. By morphology, immunohistology and histochemistry the clones were shown to differentiate in vitro into visceral and parietal yolk-sac cells and in vivo into visceral and parietal yolk-sac cells, trophoblast and mesenchyme. Trophoblast and mesenchyme were only recorded in rat YSCa derived from displaced yolk sac but not in embryo-derived YSCA. Hence YSCa cells displaying a visceral and parietal yolk-sac pattern as well as the trophoblastic and the mesenchymal structures should have a common cell ancestor.