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Dynamics of neoplastic development in carcinogen-exposed tracheal

Journal Article · · Cancer Res.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6941682

The qualitative and quantitative cellular changes occurring in tracheal epithelium in vivo during the process of carcinogenesis were investigated by use of an in vitro assay which measures the formation of epithelial foci (EF); this method is called EF assay. The cell or cells giving rise in vitro to an EF which survives and proliferates for at least one month after tracheal cells have been seeded into culture dishes was defined as the epithelial focus-forming unit (EFFU). Viable epithelial cells were harvested from heterotropic tracheal grafts immediately and at 2, 4, and 8 months after they had been exposed in vivo for 4 weeks to 165 ..mu..g of dimethylbenz(a)anthracene. This carcinogen exposure was known to induce a 9% incidence of invasive tracheal carcinomas. The cell suspensions obtained from individual tracheas (20 tracheas per time point) were seeded into culture dishes, and the number of EF was scored 1 month later. Normal tracheal cells and cells from tracheas exposed to 100 ..mu..g of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate poduced no EF. In contrast, 80 to 90% of the cultures of all tracheas, exposed to dimethylbenz(a)anthacene 8 months prior to the collection of cells, developed one or more EF. During the first 4 months after termination of dimethylbenz(a)anthracene exposure, the number of EF per trachea remained constant at 3 to 4. Between 4 and 8 months, the number of EF per trachea increased 3- to 5-fold.

DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
6941682
Journal Information:
Cancer Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Cancer Res.; (United States) Vol. 39; ISSN CNREA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English