title: Recommended protocol for the Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cell transformation assay.
abstract: The Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cell transformation assay (CTA) is a short-term in vitro assay recommended as an alternative method for testing the carcinogenic potential of chemicals. SHE cells are "normal" cells since they are diploid, genetically stable, non-tumourigenic, and have metabolic capabilities for the activation of some classes of carcinogens. The CTA, first developed in the 1960s by Berwald and Sachs (1963,1964) [3,4], is based on the change of the phenotypic feature of cell colonies expressing the first steps of the conversion of normal to neoplastic-like cells with oncogenic properties. Pienta et al. (1977) [22] developed a protocol using cryopreserved cells to enhance practicality of the assay and limit sources of variability. Several variants of the assay are currently in use, which mainly differ by the pH at which the assay is performed. We present here the common version of the SHE pH 6.7 CTA and SHE pH 7.0 CTA protocols used in the ECVAM (European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods) prevalidation study on CTA reported in this issue. It is recommended that this protocol, in combination with the photo catalogues presented in this issue, should be used in the future and serve as a basis for the development of the OECD test guideline.
authors.affiliation: Université Paul Verlaine de Metz, Metz, France. marie-aline.maire@univ-metz.fr
authors.forename: Marie-Aline
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Maire
authors.forename: Kamala
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pant
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Phrakonkham
authors.forename: Albrecht
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poth
authors.forename: Karl-Rainer
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Schwind
authors.forename: Claudine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rast
authors.forename: Shannon Wilson
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.forename: Jamie E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Sly
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bohnenberger
authors.forename: Thorsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kunkelmann
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: Paule
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vasseur
mesh_terms: D000826:Animal Testing Alternatives; D000818:Animals; D015197:Carcinogenicity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006224:Cricetinae; D015925:Cryopreservation; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008647:Mesocricetus; D012107:Research Design
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens