A Correlative Study in the Modification of the BHK 21 Cell-line Induced by the Passage Within the Same Genotype

Abstract

It was presented a correlative study in the modification of BHK 21 cells, during its inoculation in hamsters, and after restoration the tissue cultures from tumors.
The original BHK 21 culture was composed of spindle-shaped, epithelialshaped cells and gigantic macrophage with diameter about 25-75μ, having chromosomal aneuploidy with modal value of 43 (hypoploid zone). The 500 BHK 21 cells grafted in hamsters produced in 100% of animals metastasizing polymorphoys sarcoma with scarce bizzare macrophage and the tumors appeared after approx. 23 days by intradermal grafts and for approx. 29 days by subcutaneous. The tumor had fast growth, 4-6 days after grafting and the animals lived with tumors about 60-90 days. The intradermal testing of cell density for possible tumor producing has a significant threshold to that of subcutaneous mode.
There was obtained by the restoration of the tissue cultures from the tumors: a) the BHK 21/TSC culture from the subcutaneous grafted tumors, composed of fibroblasts, which disappeared in the 7th passage by degeneration; and b) the new established BHK 21/TID cell line, originated from the intradermal grafted tumor. After the 50th passage, the TID line has definitely acquired uniformity, having epithelial-shaped cells and gigantic, monstruous macrophage, of diameter 75-350μ and more, aneuplody and modal value of 87 chromosomes (hypotetraploid zone).
The difference obtained in the type of culture between the original BHK 21 cells and its derivatives: the TSC and TID cultures was the consequence of selective passage of the cells within the susceptible animals.