Characterization of a newly established human chondrosarcoma cell line, CS-OKB.

A clonal cell line, CS-OKB, was derived from a human chondrosarcoma and characterized by cytogenetic study, immunocytochemical staining, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Chromosomal abnormalities characteristic of malignant cartilaginous neoplasms were identified. CS-OKB cells were intensely stained with anti-type II collagen and anti-keratan sulphate antibodies. RT-PCR indicated that CS-OKB transcribes cartilage-specific genes such as type II, X procollagen, and aggrecan. This human chondrosarcoma cell line is stable and expresses well-differentiated chondrocyte-specific genes. It synthesizes well-differentiated chondrocyte-specific molecules in uncoated plastic dishes. CS-OKB may be useful for studies of human chondrocytes and in characterizing human chondrosarcomas.