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Mouse Embryonic Lung Culture, A System to Evaluate the Molecular Mechanisms of Branching
Published on: June 30, 2010
[Characteristics of a culture of embryonal human lung cells spontaneously contaminated with mouse cells]
Abstract:
The characteristics of human embryo lung culture spontaneously contaminated with mouse cells (HELCCM) are presented. Changes in the cytological and karyological characteristics of the cells were observed as compared with those of the initial human embryo lung (HEL) cell strain. The culture acquired the resistance to adenovirus type 7; at the same time RNA metabolism in HELCCM culture culture chronically infected with adenovirus practically did not differ from that of the control. Electron microscopic examination of the culture revealed virions of oncornavirus types A and C as well as minimal forms of oncornaviruses which morphologically were close to murine oncornaviruses. The results indicate that in the process of passages the initial diploid cells of HEL were eliminated by mouse cells. Therefore at present, the HELCCM cell line is considered to be a mouse line.
Insights
Human embryo lung cells (HELCCM) were contaminated with mouse cells, leading to a shift in cell line characteristics. The HELCCM culture is now considered a mouse cell line due to the elimination of human cells.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- Human embryo lung (HEL) cell cultures can undergo spontaneous contamination.
- Characterizing such contaminated cultures is crucial for understanding cell line evolution and potential research applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the characteristics of a human embryo lung culture spontaneously contaminated with mouse cells (HELCCM).
- To compare the cytological and karyological features of HELCCM with the original HEL cell strain.
- To investigate the impact of contamination on viral resistance and RNA metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Cytological and karyological analysis of HELCCM and HEL cell strains.
- Adenovirus type 7 resistance assays.
- RNA metabolism studies in adenovirus-infected HELCCM.
- Electron microscopy for oncornavirus detection.
Main Results:
- Significant changes in cytological and karyological characteristics were observed in HELCCM compared to HEL.
- The HELCCM culture developed resistance to adenovirus type 7.
- Electron microscopy revealed oncornavirus virions (types A and C) morphologically similar to murine oncornaviruses.
- RNA metabolism in chronically infected HELCCM did not significantly differ from controls.
Conclusions:
- Mouse cells eliminated the original human diploid cells during passages in the HELCCM culture.
- The HELCCM cell line is now classified as a mouse cell line.
- The presence of murine oncornaviruses suggests potential endogenous viral activity or cross-contamination.
