Immunological and Karyological Criteria for Identification of Cell Lines2

Abstract

An investigation was made of the possibility of identifying established cell lines in culture, by the following characteristics: (a) morphology, (b) sensitivity to HeLa and MCN nucleoprotein antiserums, (c) mouse transplantation antigen(s) detectable by skin-grafting techniques, (d) sensitivity to polio-myelitis virus, and (e) chromosomal complement. It has been demonstrated that some characteristics, in particular (b), (c), and (e), are highly indicative of the species of origin of a given cell line. Thus the spectrums of action of HeLa and MCN antiserums seem to be related to the human and murine origin of the susceptible cells, respectively. Transplantation antigens may persist in established lines in vitro as evidenced by their ability to sensitize mice against subsequent skin homografts of appropriate genotype. No evidence has been obtained that mice share any important transplantation antigens in common with 4 different mammalian species. Karyological criteria are highly efficient when distinct markers exist or when differential diagnosis is required between species whose diploid idiograms are markedly different. Even though notable variation occurs during establishment of a cell line, the karyological profile, non-telocentric versus telocentric chromosomes, as an indicator of the species of origin remains fairly constant. For cell lines of doubtful origin, identification is most dependable when the various criteria corroborate one another. Eleven cell lines were tested according to these principles. Four cell lines, 3 of stated human origin and 1 of stated rabbit origin, were actually of mouse origin, probably consisting of L cells.