Steroid responsiveness of the human cell line NHIK 3025

The human cell line NHIK 3025, derived from a carcinoma of the uterine cervix, contains a glucocorticoid and an androgen receptor. The effect of various natural and synthetic steroid hormones and antihormones on growth rate of these cells was therefore investigated. Cells grown in Eagle's MEM with 10% foetal calf serum exhibited reduced growth when cultured with dexamethasone due to prolongation of the cell cycle. Glucocorticoid anti-inducers like progesterone had no significant effect on cell growth. Methyltrienolone (R 1881) or 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone did not affect cell proliferation. The reported shortening of the cell cycle by testosterone is probably not directly connected with activation of the androgen receptor present, but possibly dependent on metabolic conversion of testosterone to the more potent growth stimulator 4-androstene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol. The effect of several anti-androgens was also studied. The non-steroidal anti-androgens flutamide and SCH 16483 had no significant effect on cell proliferation. It was, however, found that a number of steroid anti-androgens, including R 2956, stimulated cell growth. A significant stimulatory effect by R 2956 was seen within the first cell generation, 4-androstene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol had to be present during 2 days, and testosterone for even longer times before a similar effect on cell growth could be obtained.