Present status of MA-160 cell line. Prostatic epithelium or HeLa cells

This report reviews the background and the present status of the MA-160 cell line. This cell line was reported to have arisen from tissue cultures of a human, benign prostatic adenoma and consequently has been used for investigations on the prostat and on hormone-dependent cells. Recent studies using chromosome analysis by banding techniques, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6D) electrophoretic mobility, and a specific prostatic acid phosphatase test indicate that MA-160 is not of prostatic origin but a HeLa cell contaminant, arising as a result of intraspecies cell contamination. It is suggested that whenever spontaneous transformation is observed in vitro and established cell lines are being used in the laboratory, the cells in question be thoroughly checked with the currently available chromosomal, biochemical, and cytochemical methods in order to establish their origin and to rule out interspecies and intraspecies cell contamination.