[Establishment of a human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line with high metastatic potential (MHCC97) and its biological characteristics].

OBJECTIVE: To establish and characterize a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line with high metastatic potential derived from a subcutaneous xenograft of metastatic human HCC in nude mice (LCI-D20).
METHODS: Single-cell suspension collected by tearing tumor tissues with forceps was transferred to the tissue culture flasks for culture in vitro in medium DMEM supplemented with 10% human group AB serum. Cytogenetic studies were performed on this cell line using flow cytometry and chromosome G-banding. AFP of theprimary xenografts and lung metastatic lesions was detected by using ABC immunohistochemistry. The rates of its tumorigenicity and metastasis in nude mice were evaluated.
RESULTS: The MHCC97 cells showed typical epithelial appearance. Upon subcutaneous or intrahepatic inoculation in nude mice, the xenograft grew and metastasized to the lungs. The metastatic rate was 100%. The cancer cells of lung metastatic foci were AFP positive. Aberrant chromosomes i(1)(q) and der(4) (pter-->q35::?) were its chromosome markers.
CONCLUSION: The MHCC97 cell line maintained the biologic characteristics as its original xenografts. The presence of the reported chromosomal aberrations may be related to carcinogenesis and progression of HCC.