Properties of two epithelial cell lines derived from HPV-associated cervical and vulvar lesions

Two epithelial cell lines were established from human papilloma virus (HPV) 18 or 16 associated tumours, characterised as poorly and well differentiated squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix uteri (EC) and the vulva (GC), respectively. The cell lines are described by their morphology, biological parameters, and immunological markers. Both cell lines have undergone approximately 35 passages in vitro. HPV16 and 18 DNA are maintained integrated into the host cell DNA. Expression of epithelial cell markers--cytokeratins K1, K10, K13, K14 and involucrin, proliferation-specific proteins, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67 as well as the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor were monitored by indirect immunofluorescence studies. The cytoplasmic and membrane-associated locations of EGF receptor molecules in EC and GC cells, respectively, suggest a differently regulated expression. Studies of the HPV18 oncogene transcription revealed marked differences of amplimers between HeLa and EC cells, such as an additional fragment, probably corresponding to a E6**--E7 splice product, and a radical shift in transcription pattern observed in various sections of the tumour tissue. Injected subcutaneously into nu/nu mice both cell lines were non-tumorigenic.