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Transformation in Cell Culture of Sex Hormones by Adenovirus-12-induced Tumor Cells and Normal Hamster Lung Fibroblasts¹

Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Cell cultures of fibroblasts derived from the lung tissue of Syrian hamsters as well as from adenovirus-12-induced tumor cells of the same animal species rapidly transform estrone to estradiol-17ß. Biologic oxidation of estradiol-17ß to estrone by these cells was very small. Both types of cells reduced androstenedione to testosterone. This reaction was less efficient than the reduction of estrone to estradiol-17ß.

The patterns of sex hormone metabolism by tumor cells remained unaltered after growth for several passages in media containing estradiol-17ß, estradiol-17, and androstenedione. Adenovirus-12-induced tumor cells, after in vitro propagation for 70 passages (14 months), had tumorogenic properties when inoculated into newborn hamsters. One of these animals developed a tumor in the testis, and this tumor was cultured. This cell line retained the same properties with regard to sex hormone metabolism as the original tumor cell line.

¹ This study was supported by grants from the Medical Research Council of Canada and the National Cancer Institute of Canada.

Received 9/22/67. Accepted 4/ 7/68.