IMMORTALIZATION OF EPITHELIAL-CELLS

The methodologies for isolating cell lines have become very powerful, particularly in terms of retaining differentiated features of the pare nt cells. Cell lines can be developed from primary or early passage ce lls as well as from transgenic animals that carry an immortalizing gen e. Cell lines from epithelia have been selected for their polar orient ation, tight junction formation, and expression of differentiated mark ers or functions. These cell lines provide useful models for studying cell biology of specific tissues, tumorigenicity, genetic abnormalitie s, or to help screen for effective methods of gene therapy.