[Establishment of a human ependymoma cell line]

We established a cell line derived from a cerebellar ependymoma and named it as NU 2-26. NU 2-26 cells grew well in vitro with Eagle's MEM plus L-15 medium (6% FCS) alone. Flat epithelial cells grew like a sheet in groups in monolayer culture. Chromosome analysis revealed near diploid and mode number was 46. Colony forming efficiency in soft agar was 51% and 36%, inoculated 1 X 10(2) cells and 1 X 10(3) cells in 60 mm dish, respectively. NU 2-26 cells formed solid tumor differed from the original ependymoma. There were more spindle shaped cells and pseudorosettes were uncommon. Dibutyryl adenosine 3'; 5'-cyclic monophosphate (db-cAMP) and cytochalasin B induced NU 2-26 cells astrocytic transformation in vitro. These changes were reversible, but became irreversible when NU 2-26 cells were treated with each drugs over seven days long. It suggested that NU 2-26 cells have a glial character.