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The Ability of Tumor Cells of the Lymphoreticular System to Grow in Vitro¹

Department of Clinical Pathology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute at Houston, Houston, Texas 77025

Fifty-eight cultures of lymphoreticular cells (7 normal, 51 pathological) were studied. While all lines, regardless of origin or diagnosis, were able to grow in vitro for short terms, cells derived from malignant tumors had the greatest ability to grow for long periods. This proliferative capacity was also present in a mixed lymphocytic culture derived from two healthy donors and in lymph nodes containing metastatic tumors. Four lines were established in continuous culture. Two of these synthesize immunoglobulin and have shown evidence of viral particles. All of the long-term cultures have aneuploid karyotypes and similar ultrastructural characteristics. It is suggested that the ability to grow in vitro is related to the number and quality of cells with unlimited proliferative capacity present in the original explant. Unlimited proliferative capacity is probably conferred by malignant transformation or antigenic stimulation of the lymphocytic elements.

¹ Supported by USPHS Research Grant CA06939 from the National Cancer Institute, USPHS, and by Special Research Career Development Award 1FO3CA42078 (to B. D.) from the National Cancer Institute, USPHS.

Received 10/ 5/71. Accepted 2/16/72.