[Culture of the transformed human embryonic tendon cells and its biological characteristics in vitro].
OBJECTIVE
This paper was to study the biological characteristics of the transformed human embryonic tendon cells, the relation between cell growth and culture conditions, and to compare these features with that of human embryonic tendon cells.


METHODS
The pts A58H plasmid had successfully used to transform a tendon cell line from human embryo in our past work. The human embryonic tendon cells and the transformed human embryonic tendon cells were cultured in vitro. In different culture conditions, the growth curve were drawn respectively. Population dependence and proliferation capability of the cells were investigated through plate cloning test and soft agar culture. The collagen secreted by cells was identified by immunohistochemical method.


RESULTS
In routine culture condition, the growth properties of the human embryonic tendon cell and transformed cells were almost identical. The growth properties of the transformed cells were not changed when the cells were frozen storage. There were changes of growth characteristics of the transformed cells when the culture temperature was changed. The transformed cells could subcultured continually and permanently. The proliferation capability of the transformed cells were stronger than that of the human embryonic tendon cells. Moreover, the growth of the transformed cells was serum-dependent, and the phenomenon of contact inhibition was observed. The transformed cells were not able to grow on soft agar culture. They had the capacity of secreting collagen type I.


CONCLUSIONS
The transformed human embryonic tendon cells could be subcultured continually and permanently, and their growth could be controlled by changing their culture conditions and they had no malignant tendency in biological characteristics. They could be taken as an ideal experimental material for tendon engineering.
Yang
Z M
ZM
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First University Hospital, West China University of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, P. R. China 610041.
Xie
H Q
HQ
Xiang
Z
Z
D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D013710:Tendons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology; D023822:Tissue Engineering
D003094:Collagen