Induction of transformation and continuous cell lines from normal human mammary epithelial cells after exposure to benzo(a)pyrene

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1985 · Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.82.8.2394· OSTI ID:6331630

Stampfer, M R; Bartley, J C

Rapidly growing primary cultures of normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) were exposed to 1 g of benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) per ml for two or three 24-hr periods. The B(a)P-treated populations consistently contained cells displaying a longer period of active growth in culture compared to the untreated control cells. Widespread heterogeneity in morphology and growth patterns was evidenced in these extended life (EL) cultures, with multiple sequential changes in these parameters occurring during the course of their life in culture. Two apparently immortal continuous cell lines have thus far emerged from these EL cultures. The continuous lines do not appear to be malignantly transformed as they do not cause tumor formation in nude mice and show little or no anchorage-independent growth. Nonetheless, they have acquired several properties characteristic of tumor-derived HMEC, which distinguish them from their normal progenitors. Analysis of the multiple steps occurring in the EL cultures, as well as in the emergence of the continuous cell lines, could potentially elucidate the processes occurring during human epithelial cell carcinogenesis and escape from senescence.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkely Lab., CA
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 6331630
• Journal Information: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States), Vol. 82:8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BENZOPYRENE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
EPITHELIUM
ONCOGENIC TRANSFORMATIONS
CARCINOGENESIS
CELL CULTURES
CELL DIFFERENTIATION
CYTOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES
MAMMARY GLANDS
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
ANIMAL TISSUES
AROMATICS
BODY
CELL TRANSFORMATIONS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
GLANDS
HYDROCARBONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATHOGENESIS
TISSUES
560301* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Cells- (-1987)