Enhanced Malignant Behaviour of Cells Treated with Crude Rat Liver Histone

Abstract

Neonatal hamster kidney cells (BHK21/C13), challenged in monolayer culture for three days with crude rat liver histone, have been shown to exhibit increased malignant characteristics when injected subcutaneously into hamsters. In contrast to the controls, the challenged cells produced tumours which invaded either the epidermis or the body wall of their hosts and frequently caused extensive visceral metastases. In vitro studies of the cell cultures, during and after histone treatment, suggested that cellular “transformation” rather than selection was effected by the crude histone preparation. Cells from the primary tumours of both control and test groups appeared morphologically identical but after sub-culture in vitro they retained their respective growth characteristics on reinoculation. Images p222-a Fig. 1 p224-a Fig. 2 Fig. 3

Non-random Chromosome Changes in Human Cancer

“…Similar remarks could be made in relation to the hamster sarcoma, which we know is also very malignant (Latner et al, 1973b).…”

“…The cells used to raise invasive tumours in hamsters were those recovered from the primary tumours of crude rat liver Iiistone transformed BHK21/C13 cells (Latner, Longstaff and Turner, 1973b In the second hamster experiment, 1 ml (10,000 KIU) doses of aprotinin were administered intraperitoneally twice daily. Again, the final wet weights of the tumours were determined and the animals examined by autopsy after 3 weeks' treatment.…”

Aprotinin Induces Surface Changes in Malignant Cells in Culture: a Possible Mode of Antitumour Action

“…The cells used in these investigations were BHK21/C13 cells and TRES cells which are derived from a malignant cell line recovered from primary tumours produced by crude-liver histone transformed BHK21/C13 cells (Latner et at., 1973b). The cells were grown in Dulbecco's minimum essential medium with 10% new-born calf serum, supplemented with 3.75 mM glutamine and antibiotics (penicillin G 500 units, streptomycin sulphate 0.25 mg, and mycostatin 600 units/ml), and equilibrated with 20% C 02.…”

Adenosine 3’ ,5’-Cyclic Monophosphate and Guanosine 3’,5’-Cyclic Monophosphate Levels in Tumour, Plasma and Urine during the Growth of a Fibrosarcoma in Hamsters

“…Full details of these cells, which were de rived by malignant transformation of baby hamster kidney cells (BHK21), and the method used for their transplantation are given elsewhere (9). Groups of 6 animals were killed at 5, 12, 25 and 41 days after tumour cell implantation.…”