The establishment and morphologic characterization of finite cell lines from normal human endometrium

Twenty-nine samples of normal human endometrium have been initiated in tissue culture. Twenty cultures (69%) demonstrated sufficient growth in vitro to allow establishment of finite cell lines. Morphologic characterization by means of conventional light microscopy as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy was performed. Differences between stromal and epithelial cell lines indicated several similarities with in vivo observations. Ultrastructural studies of stromal cell lines revealed cells virtually devoid of microvilli and exhibiting poorly specialized cell junctions. Epithelial cell lines were characterized by numerous microvilli and highly specialized "junctional complexes" typical of glandular epithelium. Cytogenetic analysis utilizing a variety of banding techniques revealed no karyotypic alterations through several subpassages. Our observations suggest that simple explant tissue culture of human endometrium can be manipulated in order to achieve separation of stromal from epithelial elements, allowing critical examination of each.