Isolation and characterization of a feeder-dependent, porcine trophectoderm cell line obtained from a 9-day...

We have established in culture a feeder-dependent cell line, termed TE1, from a 9 day, pre-implantation, porcine embryo. TE1 cells were observed by light and electron microscopy, and characterized by immunocytochemistry: the morphology, cytology and ultrastructure of this cell line are described. The cells display epithelial characteristics, as revealed using immunofluorescence microscopy with antibody against cytokeratins of simple epithelia, but not with antibody against vimentin. The cells demonstrate many morphological and cytochemical features in common with trophectoderm of the intact porcine blastocyst. For example, TE1 cells are polarized and possess tight junctions at their borders, similar to those found in trophectoderm of the pre-implantation embryo. Moreover, TE1 cells label positively for the porcine trophectoderm-specific monoclonal antibody, SN1/38. Thus, by several important criteria TE1 is deduced to be a porcine trophectoderm cell line.