Objective: To establish a new hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line and provide a new and ideal experimental model.
Methods: The cell line designated as HCC-9903 was derived from a surgical specimen of HCC. After primary culture, its biologic characteristics were studied under light and electron microscope and by determination of doubling time and growth curve, culture in soft agar, flow cytometry(FCM), chromosome analysis, detection of AFP, HBV and telomerase, agglutination test of concanavalin (ConA) as well as inoculation in nude mice.
Results: The first passage was found on the 29th day. Morphological study demonstrated its malignant characteristics. Chromosome analysis revealed a chromosome number ranging from 49 to 135, with a model number of 52 to 67. Aberrant chromosomes 1 q(i) and t (6,11) were its chromosome markers. The cell line produced tumors after subcutaneous transplantation into nude mice.
Conclusion: According to the rules of establishing a cell line in vitro, HCC-9903 has been proved to be a new cell line of human HCC carcinoma, and more experimental methods have been used to study its biological characteristics.