E1A-INDUCED IMMORTALIZATION OF RAT TYPE-II ALVEOLAR EPITHELIAL-CELLS

Using a retroviral vector expressing the adenoviral 12S E1A gene produ ct, the authors have immortalized rat type II alveolar epithelial cell s. For a period of time, the immortalized cells retain many of the ult rastructural characteristics of type II cells in situ, including the p resence of lamellar bodies. By 250 days in culture, however, neither l amellar bodies, SP-A, nor a phospholipid profile characteristic of sur factant were present. The cells bind the lectin Maclura pomifera and s tably express cytokeratins and E1A gene product. The cell line also ha s a diploid karyotype, exhibits contact inhibition of growth, and does not grow in soft agar. E1A-immortalized cell lines should prove usefu l as models for study of certain aspects of type II alveolar epithelia l cell function.