| Abstract |
The availability of an established cell line from mesothelioma, a human
tumor induced by a known environmental carcinogen, is important both as a
model for carcinogenesis and development of monoclonal antibodies for
improved diagnosis and therapy. A mesothelioma cell line designated MT-1
was established from a pleural effusion of a 71-year old male (blood type
0+) with asbestos exposure. Histologically, hematoxylin and eosin stained
pleural tissue contained highly vascular fibrous thickening, occasional
papillary fronds, and tubules of abnormal mesothelial cells, diagnosed
diffuse malignant mesothelioma, tubulo-papillary type. The pleural
effluent, obtained in 1983 was suspended in RPMI 1640 medium with 10%
fetal calf serum, gentamycin, Hepes, and placed in a plastic flask. The
cells grew as a monolayer with a doubling time of 21 hours. When
subcultured, cells from the 4th passage were mixed, containing small,
elongated cells interspersed with flat, polygonal cells. Ultrastructural
findings on electron microscopy include nuclei with one or more nucleoli
and intracytoplasmic lumina. Also, cytoplasm has abundant and impressive
macro and elongated microvilli that show areas of branching. There are
numerous microfilaments with some bona fide tono-filaments and desmosomea.
Karyotypically, the cultured cells are aneuploid, with a modal number of
62. The cell line is monoclonal in origin, and is an abnormal cell line
with marker chromosomes. Given elongated, branched micro-villi,
aneuploidy, ability to induce subcutaneous tumors in the nude mouse,
characteristic histologic appearance, clinical course and history of
asbestos exposure, we conclude MT-1 represents a mesothelioma cell line.
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