Cytological and biochemical methods for the characterization of in vitro cultured cells

The aim of our presentation was to show how we characterize cells cultured in monolayer system. Cytological and biochemical methods were used. Ovarian Krukenberg tumour fibroblasts were investigated and findings were correlated with normal human diploids (HDZ1) and with fibroblasts obtained from Blighted ovum. Cytomorphologically Malignancy associated changes in the tumour fibroblasts were found. Cytochemically acid phosphatase and alpha-naphtyl-esterase were positive (+++). PAS reaction was doubled in 18th passage. Cytogenetically normal human diploids were found. Biochemically enzymatic assay showed phosphopentose shunt is decreased in tumour fibroblasts and alpha-glucosidase and beta-galactosidase activities were significantly lower in these cells. A form of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase fell during the investigation from normal 75% to lower percent (42% of the total activity). Much more parameters were obtained by different methods and Krukenberg tumour fibroblasts may be better understood. In vitro investigation makes a contribution to biomedical knowledge in cancer research.