Establishment and characterization of a human ovarian endodermal sinus tumor cell line--producing specific type of alpha-fetoprotein subfraction.

A cell line was established from an endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary from a 57-year-old Japanese woman, obtained on July 22, 1982. Histological study of the resected tumor revealed a mixture of reticular, solid and cystic patterns, being consistent with the characteristic feature. The cell line, designated as human Akimoto endodermal sinus tumor (HAEST), was subcultivated over 50 times during 29 months. The cells were spindle or columnar in shape and showed pleomorphic and neoplastic features. The modal chromosome number was stable at diploid range and the marker, large acrocentric, chromosome was identified. The cells were transplanted into the cheek pouch of hamsters and produced an endodermal sinus tumor. alpha-Fetoprotein subfractions in the conditioned media were studied by a modified method of lectin affinity crossed-line immunoelectrophoresis, and we found that the HAEST cells produced concanavalin A nonreactive subfraction, lentil lectin weakly reactive subfraction, phytohemagglutinin-E reactive subfraction and phytohemagglutinin-E nonreactive subfraction, which were predominantly synthesized by the fetal yolk sac, at an early stage of gestation. From these findings, we concluded that the HAEST was indeed an endodermal sinus tumor cell line. This line is expected to have a wide application for various laboratory studies.