Establishment of a human malignant fibrous histiocytoma cell line, COMA: Characterization by conventional cytogenetics, comparative genomic hybridization, and multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization

The human COMA cell line has been established from a storiform pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). As expected for this tumor type, a ve ry complex karyotype was observed after R-banding analysis. An extensive an alysis by 24-color painting, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), and f luorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed. Twelve complex mark er chromosomes recurrently observed were clearly identified; among them, th ree were systematically present in all analyzed metaphases. Amplifications detected by CGH were refined by FISH with probes specific for various candi date loci. A significant aneuploidy and numerous micronuclei were observed, which could be related to the anomalies of centriole numbers detected in a proportion of cells. Such an analysis, performed on a series of MFH cell l ines, would allow the delineation of the genomic alterations specific for t he oncogenesis or progression of this complex tumor type or both. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.