A novel human malignant fibrous histiocytoma cell line of the heart (MFH-H) with secretion of hematopoietic growth factors

Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) exhibits an extremely adverse prognosis. Investigations into the principles determining the biological ag gressiveness of this cardiac tumor would be facilitated by an appropriate i n vitro model. Therefore, we report on the first permanent cell line (MFH-H ), derived from a human cardiac MFH. The original tumor had shown coexpress ion of cytoskeletal filaments typical of mesenchymal (vimentin), epithelial (cytokeratins) and neurogenic (neurofilaments) differentiation. This poten tial for multidirectional differentiation was observed in the MFH-H cell li ne as well and indicated marked plasticity of gene activation acquired duri ng the process of neoplastic transformation. Pronounced genetic alterations also became evident from cytogenetic analysis, which revealed a highly var iant karyotype with multiple numeric and structural chromosomal aberrations . Secretion of G-CSF, GM-CSF and M-CSF was shown to be another feature of d eregulated gene expression in MFH-H cells. Direct autocrine effects of thei r hematopoietic growth factors, however, were precluded by the lack of the corresponding receptors. In conclusion, the cell line MFH-H will provide an appropriate in vitro model to analyze the biological properties of this ca rdiac malignancy in more detail, especially with regard to a possible immun omodulating capacity of MFH-derived hematopoietic growth factors.