title: [An improved BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay and its application in the cocarcinogenesis study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To improve the protocol of BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay, and apply it to the cocarcinogenesis study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Appropriate serum concentration, culture media and method of administration were selected by testing their effects on the growth and transformation of BALB/c 3T3 cells. The co-carcinogenic activity between diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and microcystin-LR (MC-LR) or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) were examined using the improved cell transformation assay. The malignant characteristics of transformed cells were verified by neoplasia in SCID mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were strong co-carcinogenic activity between DEN and TCDD. On the contrary, although MC-LR has strong ability to induce cell transformation, the effect was markely inhibited by DEN. The transformed cells show some malignant characteristics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The improved BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay is reliable and time-saving, and can be efficiently used in the study of cocarcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100052, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Ru-gang
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: De-chang
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yong-ning
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zeng
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D041702:BALB 3T3 Cells; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003043:Cocarcinogenesis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens