Cloned spindle and epithelioid cells from murine Kaposi's sarcoma-like tumors are of endothelial origin.
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a complex neoplasm comprising spindle cells, vascular structures, erythrocytes, and an inflammatory infiltrate. The pathogenesis of this disorder is not yet understood, which is a major impediment to the design of safe and effective new therapies. We previously reported a murine model in which simian virus 40 (SV40) T-antigen-transformed murine endothelial cells induce lesions with the histopathologic features of KS. We have now cloned by limiting dilution seven morphologically distinct tumor-derived lines, all of which express the SV40 T antigen. Because SV40 is non-permissive in mouse cells, the presence of this viral marker permits definitive identification of cellular origin. We report here that both spindle cell and epithelioid cell clones from these KS-like tumors are derived from endothelial cells.
O'Connell
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KA
Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Rudmann
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AA
D000818:Animals; D000952:Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming / Q000032:analysis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D004727:Endothelium / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000473:pathology*
D000952:Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor