Establishment and characterization of the pluripotent mouse teratocarcinoma cell line TCE.

Embryonal carcinoma cells, the stem cells of teratocarcinomas, are a convenient model system for the study of embryonic development and cell differentiation. We established the pluripotent teratocarcinoma cell line TCE from embryoid bodies of teratocarcinoma strain OTT6050. The feeder independent cell line was characterized with regard to karyotype, differentiation capacities, developmentally regulated gene products, such as alkaline and acid phosphatase, cell surface markers, and by intermediate filament proteins. These parameters are discussed with respect to the developmental potency of the cell line TCE.