Ultrastructural and phenotypic characterization of CABA I, a new human ovarian cancer cell line

We have established an ovarian cancer cell line (CABA I) from ascitic fluid obtained from a patient with papillary adenocarcinoma of the ovary prior to drug treatment. The epithelial origin of the cell line was confirmed by morphology and by immunofluorescence analysis using anticytokeratin antibodies. Ultrastructural analysis revealed a very irregular membrane surface and a clear cytoplasm rich in electron-lucent vesicles. CABA I cells grow rapidly in culture (doubling time 18 h) in an anchorage-independent manner. Exogenously added beta-estradiol and epidermal growth factor (EGF) treatments did not influence cell growth rate. FACS analysis to determine the phenotypic profile of tumor-associated antigen, membrane receptor, and adhesion molecule expression indicated that the cell line was positive for different members of the c-erbB family, for alpha 6 and beta 1 integrin receptors, and intensively positive for HLA class I antigens and the folate receptor. Molecular characterization revealed no mutations for c-myc and c-k-ras genes, but did detect an exon 5 mutation in the p53 gene. CABA I cells grew poorly as heterotransplants in nude mice, and tumors showed long latency periods. Because early (15-20) and late (55-60) passage cells maintain the same growth and phenotypic characteristics, the CABA I cell line might provide a good in vitro model system to investigate the cellular and molecular events involved in ovarian carcinogenesis.