Characteristics of an established retinoblastoma cell line HXO-Rb44.

PURPOSE

To study the retinoblastoma cell culture and to establish a new retinoblastoma cell line.

METHODS

22 retinoblastomas were cultured by using the method of single cell suspension. Characteristics of the cultured cells were studied in the following programs: tumor cell morphology in vitro, electron microscopic, growth curve, cloning in soft agar, immunohistochemistry, karyotype and tumorigenicity.

RESULTS

22 retinoblastomas were cultured successfully in vitro, only a continued cell line HXO-Rb44 was established (more than 3 years). The characteristics of this cell line are that it grew as a suspension of round cell in graps like clusters in vitro, its population doubling time was 44 hours, and it could be cloned in soft agar. Histopathologic and ultrastructured pictures showed the characteristics of Rb. HXO-Rb44 cell was positive to NSE and negative to GFAP in immunohistochemical staining. A subcutaneous injection of HXO-Rb44 cells produced a retinoblastoma in BALB/C athumic nude mice.

CONCLUSIONS

HXO-Rb44 has the characteristics of retinoblastoma and is a new retinoblastoma cell line. It is a useful material for study this tumor both in basic and clinical fields.