Characterization and carcinogen sensitivity of an established endothelial-like cell line derived from adult rat liver tissue.

To define the in vitro response of nonparenchymal liver cells to chemical carcinogens, an endothelial-like cell line (RLC-1) derived from adult rat hepatic tissue was established in long-term culture. The RLC-1 line exhibited morphologic, ultrastructural and cytoskeletal characteristics consistent with derivation from mesenchymal vascular elements within the liver. Using various criteria to monitor changes in growth properties, RLC-1 cells were determined to be resistant to transformation by diethylnitrosamine, partially transformed by benzo[a]pyrene, and completely transformed by methylazoxymethanol acetate and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. The RLC-1 cell system provides a means to assess potential effects of procarcinogens, as well as intrinsically reactive compounds, on an isolated nonparenchymal liver cell population.