PROPERTIES OF 2 EPITHELIAL-CELL LINES DERIVED FROM HPV-ASSOCIATED CERVICAL AND VULVAR LESIONS

Two epithelial cell lines were established from human papilloma virus (HPV) 18 or 16 associated tumours, characterised as poorly and well di fferentiated squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix uteri (EC) and the vulva (GC), respectively. The cell lines are described by their morph ology, biological parameters, and immunological markers. Both cell lin es have undergone approximately 35 passages in vitro. HPV16 and 18 DNA are maintained integrated into the host cell DNA. Expression of epith elial cell markers-cytokeratins K1, K10, K13, K14 and involucrin, prol iferation-specific proteins, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67 as well as the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor were m onitored by indirect immunofluorescence studies. The cytoplasmic and m embrane-associated locations of EGF receptor molecules in EC and GC ce lls, respectively, suggest a differently regulated expression. Studies of the HPV18 oncogene transcription revealed marked differences of am plimers between HeLa and EC cells, such as an additional fragment, pro bably corresponding to a E6* E7 splice product, and a radical shift i n transcription pattern observed in various sections of the tumour tis sue. Injected subcutaneously into nu/nu mice both cell lines were non- tumorigenic.