Establishment of human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line containing estradiol-17 beta and progesterone receptors.

The cell line designated HHUA was established from a well-differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma (grade 1) of a 54-year-old female on December 10, 1980. The cell line grew well without interruption for 22 months and was subcultivated more than 56 times. The cells were spindle or polygonal in shape, formed multilayers, and did not show contact inhibition. The chromosome number varied widely and showed aneuploidy. The modal number was 46 and no marker chromosome was identified. The cells were transplanted into the subcutis of BALB/C nude mice and produced tumors which were interpreted as adenocarcinoma. The cells contained estradiol-17 beta and progesterone receptors. Administration of estradiol-17 beta successfully depleted cytoplasmic estrogen receptors and brought about increased progesterone receptor levels.