A fetal Syrian hamster lung epithelial cell line as an in vitro model for respiratory carcinogenesis.

A clonal continuous cell line consisting of pre-differentiated lung epithelial cells was established from a Syrian golden hamster fetus on day 15 of gestation. Immunocytological techniques revealed cytoplasmic filaments positive to antikeratin antibody and positive to antivimentin antibody in these cells. Supplementation of the medium with epidermal growth factor, insulin, other types of hormones and vitamin A markedly enhanced cell growth and DNA synthesis. Simultaneously, the cell differentiation characterized by mucus-like glycoprotein production was greatly stimulated. Removal of vitamin A diminished cell growth and this differentiation. The cell system was found to be useful for studying the relationship between in vitro cell transformation and differentiation. Additionally, studies to define general chemical toxicities in this cell system by evaluating several parameters such as cell survival, sialic acid content and enzyme leakage into the medium are in progress.