Establishment and characterization of an estrogen-producing human ovarian granulosa tumor cell line

Cells designated HTOG and HTOT were established by long-term culture from a human ovarian granulosa cell and a theca cell tumor, respectively. The HTOG line grew well forming colonies and multilayered rapidly without contact inhibition; serial passages of HTOG were performed over 100 times successively within 25 months. HTOG were spindle cells, polygonal or spherical in shape, revealed neoplastic and pleomorphic features, and produced estrone (E1) and 17 beta-estradiol (E2). The chromosome number varied considerably and showed hyperploidy; the modal chromosome number was in the hypertriploid-tetraploid range. When HTOG cells were heterotransplanted into the subcutis of BALB/c nude mice, they produced a sarcomatous diffuse type of granulosa cell tumors. In contrast, HTOT cells grew slowly while forming monolayers and underwent five successive passages in about 100 days, but a theca cell tumor line could not be established. HTOT cells were fibroblastic in shape and also produced E1 and E2. The majority of the cells showed diploidy and karyologic normality.