ESTABLISHMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL HEPATOBLASTOMA-DERIVED CELL-LINE

Hepatoblastoma is the most common pediatric liver cancer, and complete resection is required for long-term survival. There are few reported hepatoblastoma cell lines available for study. In order to develop in vitro and animal models, the authors isolated an additional cell line (HB1) from a human hepatoblastoma and here report its characteristics in culture. Cells were analyzed for growth rate, clonigenicity, and tu morigenicity, using electron microscopy. Immunocytochemistry and North ern analysis for the expression of specific surface markers and genes of interest were also performed. HB1 cells required fetal calf serum b ut grew well in culture (population doubling time of 2 days) and had a n undifferentiated appearance under electron microscopy. Epidermal gro wth factor (EGF) and hydrocortisone stimulated growth with or without serum, but no autocrine growth stimulation via the epidermal growth fa ctor receptor was detected. Proteins produced by HB1 cells under norma l culture conditions included alpha-fetoprotein, cytokeratins 8 and 18 , and lactate dehydrogenase (with an isozyme subunit composition simil ar to that of liver). HB1 cells showed chronic, high expression of c-m yc and Ha-ras oncogenes but no N-myc and apparently normal RE gene exp ression. This cell line shows characteristics in culture consistent wi th malignant, hepatic epithelial cells and is apparently EGF dependent . It may provide a model system for the future development of alternat ive therapies. Copyright (C) 1995 by W.B. Saunders Company