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Cellosaurus publication CLPUB00116

Publication number CLPUB00116
Authors Leong S.S., Horoszewicz J.S., Shimaoka K., Friedmann M., Kawinski E., Song M.J., Zeigel R.F., Chu T.M., Baylin S.B., Mirand E.A.
Title A new cell line for study of human medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Citation (In book chapter) Advances in thyroid neoplasia; Andreoli M., Monaco H., Robbins J. (eds.); pp.95-108; Field Educational Italia; Roma; Italy (1981)
Abstract Medullary thyroid carcinoma is a neoplasm derived from the C-cell, an intrathyroidal cell of neural crest origin. In addition to secreting the calcium-regulating polypeptide (CT), this tumor reportedly also secretes histamine, prostaglandins and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) in humans. A number of in vitro models, including tissue slices, organ culture explants and mixed monolayers of C-cells and other cell types in primary cultures have been used to study the factors regulating the functions of normal and neoplastic C-cells. Experimental studies on the available models of trout and rodent C-cell cultures and transplantable rodent tumors are highly useful in providing us with a better understanding of calcitonin secretion and regulation as well as C-cell function. A wide spectrum of preserved biological and biochemical markers, hormonal responsiveness and secretory responses to several substances contribute significantly to their attractiveness as animal model systems. However, the limitations of these systems are rooted in restrictions imposed by difficulties in direct translation of data obtained in an animal model system into the language of human disease. None of the reported cell lines derived from human thyroid medullary carcinoma have gained wide acceptance as fully suitable human models since they were either short term cultures or lost the characteristic marker, calcitonin, after being in culture for several months. This paper describes a new cell line which we have established in vitro from a specimen obtained by needle biopsy of a patient-with thyroid medullary carcinoma. This cell line which we designated 'TT' has been continuously cultivated in vitro since 1978. In culture these cells secret high levels of calcitonin and embryonic antigen. When injected into the nude mice, they produce rapidly growing tumors. Thus, this cell line may be useful as a model for biochemical and physiological studies on human medullary thyroid carcinoma as well as human calcitonin secretion and its regulation.
Cell lines CVCL_1774; TT