Establishment and characterization of human glioblastoma cell line (HUBT-n)

We succeeded in primary culture of 3 in 4 cases of glioblastomas. The long-term passage cultures were not done from the primary cultures of original tumor, but glioblastoma cell line (HUBT-n) was established from a xenograft of nude mouse. This line grew well without interruption for 4 years and was subcultivated over 120 times. The cells were spindle like or round in shape and neoplastic and pleomorphic features contained glial fibrillar acid protein (GFAP) and S-100 protein and grew multilayering without contact inhibition. A bough-shaped long projection was noted from a small cell. One of the characteristics of the HUBT-n cells was existence of well developed intermediate filaments in their cytoplasm. The cells proliferated rapidly, and the population doubling time was about 32 hours. The chromosome number showed a narrow distribution of diploid range. Abnormal constitution was observed in all cells by G-band karyotyping. The culture cells were easily transplanted into the subcutis of nude mouse and produced the tumor resembling the original tumor.     

Establishment and partial characterization of a human tumor cell line,GBM-HSF,from a glioblastoma multiforme

This paper outlines the establishment of a new and stable cell line, designated GBM-HSF, from a malignant glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) removed from a 65-year-old Chinese woman. This cell line has been grown for 1 year without disruption and has been passaged over 50 times. The cells were adherently cultured in RPMI-1640 media with 10 % fetal bovine serum supplementation. Cells displayed spindle and polygonal morphology, and displayed multi-layered growth without evidence of contact inhibition. The cell line had a high growth rate with a doubling time of 51 h. The cells were able to grow without adhering to the culture plates, and 4.5 % of the total cells formed colonies in soft agar. The cell line has also been found to form tumors in nude mice and to be of a highly invasive nature. The cells were also partially characterized with RT-PCR. The RT-PCR revealed that Nestin, β-tubulin III, Map2, Klf4, Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, and CD26 were positively transcribed, whereas GFAP, Rex1, and CD133 were negatively transcribed in this cell line. These results suggest that the GBM-HSF cell line will provide a good model to study the properties of cancer stem cells and metastasis. It will also facilitate more detailed molecular and cellular studies of GBM cell division and pathology.     

Target-specific delivery of doxorubicin to human glioblastoma cell line via ssDNA aptamer

Targeted drug delivery approaches have been implementing significant therapeutic gain for cancer treatment since last decades. Aptamers are one of the mostly used and highly selective targeting agents for cancer cells. Herein, we address a nano-sized targeted drug delivery approach adorned with A-172 glioblastoma cell-line-specific single stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamer in which the chemotherapeutic agent Doxorubicin (DOX) had been conjugated. DNA aptamer, GMT-3, was previously selected for specific recognition of glioblastoma and represented many advantageous characteristics for drug targeting purposes. Flow cytometry analysis proved the binding efficiency of the specific aptamer to tumour cell lines. Cell-type-specific toxicity of GMT-3:DOX complex was showed by XTT assay and terminated cytotoxic effects were screened for both target cell and a control breast cancer cell line. The result of this contribution demonstrated the potential utility of GMT-3 aptamer-mediated therapeutic drug transportation in the treatment of gliomas specifically. It was concluded that aptamer-mediated drug delivery can be applied successfully for clinical use.     

Presence of side-population cells in an immortalized nontumorigenic human liver epithelial cell line

Side-population (SP) cells have been shown to be highly enriched stem cells. We investigated whether an immortalized, nontumorigenic human liver cell line, THLE-5b, contains SP cells. Flow cytometry analysis after Hoechst 33342 staining demonstrated that the THLE-5b line contained a small component of SP cells. These SP cells were essentially eliminated by treatment with verapamil and expressed higher levels of ABCG2 mRNA than non-SP cells. In addition, the level of these SP cells detected by Hoechst 33342 staining was affected by the experimental conditions including the incubation medium. This is the first report of the presence of SP cells in the immortalized, nontumorigenic human liver cell line.     

Activated platelet-derived growth factor autocrine pathway drives the transformed phenotype of a human glioblastoma cell line

Human glioblastoma cells (A172) were found to concomitantly express PDGF-BB and PDGF β-receptors. The receptors were constitutively autophosphorylated in the absence of exogenous ligand, suggesting the presence of an autocrine PDGF pathway. Neutralizing PDGF antibodies as well as suramin inhibited the autonomous PDGF receptor tyrosine kinase activity and resulted in up-regulation of receptor protein. The interruption of the autocrine loop by the PDGF antibodies reversed the transformed phenotype of the glioblastoma cell, as determined by (1) diminished DNA synthesis, (2) inhibition of tumor colony growth, and (3) reversion of the transformed morphology of the tumor cells. The PDGF antibodies showed no effect on the DNA synthesis of another glioblastoma cells line (U343MGa 31L) or on Ki-ras-transformed fibroblasts. The present study demonstrates an endogenously activated PDGF pathway in a spontaneous human glioblastoma cell line. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the autocrine PDGF pathway drives the transtormed phenotype of the tumor cells, a process that can be blocked by extracellular antagonists. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Establishment and characterization of a new human glioblastoma cells line, NYGM

A cell line designated NYGM was established from a human cerebral glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) obtained from a 75-year-old Japanese woman. The cell line has grown slowly without interruption and has been propagated continuously by serial passages (more than 80 passage) during the past 3 years. The cultured cells were fusiform or polyhedral in shape. The population doubling time was 24 hours. The chromosomal number varied between 77 and 88, with modal chromosomal number of 84. NYGM cells concomitantly expressed MET receptor tyrosine kinase (a product of c-met protooncogene) and its ligand HGF/SF (hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor), as well as HGF activator and HGF activator inhibitors. The cells might be useful for the study of pericellular regulation of HGF/SF-MET signaling and HGF activation of GBM cells.     

Presence of VIP receptors in a human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line. Modulation of the cAMP response during cell proliferation

It is known that the human exocrine pancreas responds to secretin stimulation more than does VIP, a structurally related peptide. We looked for the receptors for those polypeptides in a human pancreatic cancer cell line grown in culture and in nude mice. By analysing the cAMP responses and the 125I-VIP binding we found VIP receptors with a KD of 1.5 10(-9) M. Secretin stimulates the adenylate cyclase through the VIP receptor sites with a KD of 1.7. 10(-6) M. We noted also that during cell proliferation in culture there was about a 5 fold increase of the cAMP response to VIP.     

Epidermal growth factor receptors in the human glioblastoma cell line SF268 differ from those in epidermoid carcinoma cell line A431

Two established human tumor cell lines, epidermoid carcinoma line A431 and glioblastoma line SF268, were studied to compare the interaction of each with epidermal growth factor (EGF). SF268 cells bound [125I] EGF with 35-40 fold higher affinity than did the A431 cells. The EGF binding sites of both lines were photoaffinity labeled using 2,4-NAPS-[125I] EGF, a photoreactive derivative of EGF. Extracts of photolysed cells analyzed by SDS-PAGE showed a difference between the two cell lines in the high molecular weight component corresponding to the EGF receptor. EGF in a dose range from 0.3-200 nM had no effect on thymidine incorporation by SF268 cells, whereas thymidine incorporation by A431 cells was markedly inhibited by EGF.     

Differently labeled peptide ligands for rapid investigation of receptor expression on a new human glioblastoma cell line

The neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and substance P (SP) as well as insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were labeled with biotin, fluorescent dyes, and radioactivity to characterize the expression of peptide receptor of a novel cancer cell line, established from a human glioblastoma multiforme. Thus, not only binding sites could be detected but advantages and disadvantages of the different labels could be compared, too. With all three markers, the presence or absence of the receptors could be answered rapidly and sensitively. The glioblastoma cells express receptors for VIP (IC₅₀ = 9 nM ± 30%), insulin (K_d = 0.66 nM ± 14%, B_max = 0.028 nM ± 13%), and IGF-1 (K_d = 21 nM ± 25%, B_max = 1.65 nM ± 24%), but there are no binding sites for NPY and SP. As especially VIP and IGF-1 receptors are expressed in huge amounts, these receptors might be an interesting target for tumor diagnostics and therapy.     

Microarray gene expression profiling of a human glioblastoma cell line exposed in vitro to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency field

The widespread use of mobile phones has led to public concerns about the health effects associated with exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields. The paramount concern of most persons relates to the potential of these fields to cause cancer. Unlike ionizing radiation, RF fields used for mobile telecommunications (800-1900 MHz) do not possess sufficient energy to directly damage DNA. Most rodent bioassay and in vitro genotoxicity/mutation studies have reported that RF fields at non-thermal levels have no direct mutagenic, genotoxic or carcinogenic effects. However, some evidence has suggested that RF fields may cause detectable postexposure changes in gene expression. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the ability of exposure to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated RF field for 4 h at specific absorption rates (SARs) of 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 W/kg to affect global gene expression in U87MG glioblastoma cells. We found no evidence that non-thermal RF fields can affect gene expression in cultured U87MG cells relative to the nonirradiated control groups, whereas exposure to heat shock at 43 degrees C for 1 h up-regulated a number of typical stress-responsive genes in the positive control group. Future studies will assess the effect of RF fields on other cell lines and on gene expression in the mouse brain after in vivo exposure.     

Neuropeptide Y Y2 receptor signalling mechanisms in the human glioblastoma cell line LN319

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) regulates neurotransmitter release through activation of the Y2 receptor subtype. We have recently characterized a human glioblastoma cell line, LN319, that expresses exclusively NPY Y2 receptors and have demonstrated that NPY triggers transient decreases in cAMP and increases in intracellular calcium responses. The present study was designed to further characterize calcium signalling by NPY and bradykinin (BK) in LN319 cells. Both agonists elevated free intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) without soliciting calcium influx. NPY appeared to activate two distinct signalling cascades that liberate calcium from thapsigargin- and ryanodine-insensitive compartments. One pathway proceeded through phospholipase C (PLC)-dependent phosphatidylinositol turnover, while the other triggered calcium release through a so far unidentified mediator. Part of the response was sensitive to pertussis toxin (PTX) under conditions where the toxin totally abolished the NPY-mediated effects on cAMP. The calcium release induced by BK on the other hand was largely PTX-insensitive, PLC-dependent, and from both thapsigargin- and ryanodine-sensitive stores. Following stimulation with NPY, subsequent [Ca(2+)](i) responses to NPY were strongly depressed. Partial heterologous desensitization occurred, when BK was used as the first agonist, whereas NPY had no effect on a subsequent stimulation with BK. These data suggest that NPY-induced calcium mobilization in LN319 cells involves two different G proteins and signalling mediators, and a hitherto unidentified calcium compartment. Homologous desensitization of NPY signalling might be explained by receptor-G protein uncoupling, while heterologous desensitization by BK could be the result of either transient depletion or inhibition of a mediator in the calcium signalling cascades activated by NPY.     

Cell death induced in a human glioblastoma cell line by p(65)+Be neutrons combined with cisplatin

High linear energy transfer (LET) radiation have the ability to kill cancer cells resistant to conventional radiotherapy. On the other hand, protocols combining radiotherapy and chemotherapy are effective in eradicating certain inoperable cancers. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of a co-treatment with fast neutrons and cisplatin in a human glioblastoma cell line, U-87. Cells cultured in vitro were irradiated with p(65)+Be neutrons in the presence of cisplatin. Cell survival and the induction of apoptosis and premature senescence were assessed at different time intervals thereafter, using a variety of methods. A marked reinforcement of the cytotoxicity was obtained when irradiation and cisplatin were associated. This reflected both an amplification of the apoptotic process and the induction of premature cell senescence. The efficiency of a combination between fast neutrons and cisplatin in inducing cell death in U-87 is more than additive. The present data concur with those we previously reported in a mouse lymphoma and suggest the potential utility of platinum compounds as adjuncts to future cancer therapy protocols using high-LET radiation.     

Characterization of a new human glioblastoma cell line that expresses mutant P53 and lacks activation of the PDGF pathway

Summary We have established and characterized a new glioblastoma cell line, termed GT9, from a biopsy sample of a female adult patient with glioblastoma multiforme. The line has now undergone over 60 passages and has been successfully cultured after cryopreservation. Immunofluorescence analyses with a panel of monoclonal antibodies were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin, and negative for neurofilament, galactocerebroside, and fibronectin, a pattern typical of glial cells. Based on a tetraploid, the composite karyotype of GT9 cells included the loss of chromosome 10, gain of chromosome 7, and the presence of double minute chromosomes, three of the most common karyotypic abnormalities in glioblastoma. Sequence analysis of p53 cDNA revealed a homozygous double mutation at codon 249 (commonly mutated in aflatoxin-associated hepatocellular carcinoma) and codon 250. Moreover, there was a complete absence of wild-type p53. However, unlike the majority of human glioblastomas previously described, the expression of platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B), a potent mitogenic autocrine factor, was low in GT9 cells. The expression and phosphorylation of c-Jun and Jun-B, downstream mediators of the PDGF pathway, were also low. Thus, deregulation of the PDGF pathway does not appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of the GT9 glioblastoma. Conversely, Jun-D, a negative regulator of cell growth, was also low. In addition, Phosphorylated Egr-1, a recently reported suppressor of PDGF-B/v-sis-transformed cells, was also low, suggesting that the lack of activation of the PDGF pathway was not due to these suppressive mechanisms. The circumstance of a weak or inactive PDGF-B autocrine mechanism in human glioblastoma paired with a homozygously altered p53 suggests that the loss of suppressor function of p53 may be a major contribution to the transformed phenotype of these cells.     

Mutants in a macrophage-like cell line are defective in plasmalogen biosynthesis, but contain functional peroxisomes.

We have used a fluorescence-activated cytotoxicity protocol, 9-(1'-pyrene)nonanol (P9OH)/UV selection (Morand, O. H., Allen, L.-A. H., Zoeller, R. A., and Raetz, C. R. H. (1990) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1034, 132-141), to isolate a series of plasmalogen-deficient mutants in a murine, macrophage-like cell line, RAW 264.7. Three of these mutants, RAW.7, RAW.12, and RAW.108, displayed varying degrees of plasmalogen deficiency (48, 17, and 14% of wild-type levels, respectively), and all three mutants were deficient in peroxisomal dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) acyltransferase activity (5% of wild-type). Unlike previously described Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell mutants, the RAW mutants contained intact, functional, peroxisomes and normal levels of alkyl-DHAP synthase activity, a peroxisomal, membrane-bound enzyme. In RAW.7 and RAW.108 cells, the loss of peroxisomal DHAP acyltransferase is the primary lesion. RAW.12 displayed not only a deficiency in the DHAP acyltransferase activity, but also displayed a second lesion in the biosynthetic pathway, a deficiency in delta 1'-desaturase activity (plasmanylethanolamine desaturase, EC 1.14.99.19), the final step in plasmenylethanolamine biosynthesis. The deficiencies expressed in the mutants represent unique lesions in plasmalogen biosynthesis. Since the RAW cell line is a macrophage-like responsive cell line, these mutants can be used to examine the role of plasmalogens in cellular functions such as arachidonic acid metabolism, prostaglandin synthesis, protein secretion, and signal transduction.     

Heterogeneity of a human T-lymphoblastoid cell line

A human T-lymphoblastoid cell line (Jurkat) was cloned, and four resulting sublines were characterized in a variety of ways with the objective of gaining information on heterogeneity in cell lines. Within a few weeks of cloning, distinct cellular morphologies and growth patterns became apparent in the four sublines. Growth rate measurements made over 3 months did not show any significant differences between the sublines. Surface protein profiles obtained by radioimmunoprecipitation using antisera in conjunction with extracts from [35S]Met and 125I-labeled cells revealed differences between the sublines. Analysis of total cell DNA showed that one of the sublines possessed only half the chromosome complement of the other sublines and the parental line. Karyotyping confirmed this result and, in addition, demonstrated that chromosome numbers fluctuated around a mean value for each subline. Karyotypic variability became apparent within 2 months of cloning and tended to increase with time in culture. G-banding analysis showed that the analyzed cell populations contained distinctive cytogenetic aberrations. Properties of the cloned sublines were monitored over a 9-month period. One of the sublines that had shown heterogeneous morphology even after 6 weeks maintained the heterogeneity throughout this time. Another subline underwent a marked change in morphology (round to irregular) and growth habit (single cells to large clumps) with increasing time in culture. Interestingly, several alterations to surface proteins accompanied these growth changes. A third subline had relatively stable morphology and chromosome number throughout the 9-month period. The modal chromosome number was hypotetraploid for three sublines and the parent line, but was diploid for another subline. However, it was interesting that progression toward tetraploidy in this subline was apparent after almost 2 years of culturing. The results showed that the original cell line consisted of a heterogeneous assemblage of cell types, some of which were quite unstable. Some implications for research using cultured cell lines are discussed.     

Amplified gene for the epidermal growth factor receptor in a human glioblastoma cell line encodes an enzymatically inactive protein.

The gene encoding the receptor for epidermal growth factor was amplified two- to fivefold in the human glioblastoma cell line SF268. The amplified gene gave rise to abundant quantities of receptor that bound EGF with a high affinity (Kd, 0.35 nM). The binding of ligand failed to elicit cellular DNA synthesis, however, and the receptor was enzymatically inactive. We presume that the amplified receptor gene carries a mutation(s) that affects several aspects of the receptor's function. Characterization of the mutation(s) may illuminate how structure dictates function in the receptor protein.