Human bile duct carcinoma cell line producing abundant mucin in vitro.

A human bile duct carcinoma cell line, designated OZ, was established from ascitic effusion of a patient who suffered from obstructive jaundice due to the clogging of the common bile duct with mucinous substances secreted by the cancer cells. OZ was found to be capable of producing mucin in vitro and pools of mucin were macroscopically identified on the monolayer of the cells. On the electron micrographs, cell coat type mucin and abundant intracytoplasmic desmosomes were observed. The OZ cells secreted carcinoembryonic antigen in culture and had high enzymatic activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. The tumor heterotransplanted into nude mice also showed mucin production.