Mesothelial and Mesothelioma Cell Lines

Abstract

Primary cultures of mesothelial cells have been established from rats, rabbits, mice, and humans (Table 5.1). Mesothelial cell lines provide several advantages for experimental studies: they provide a large number of cells isolated from a single donor, cell lines can be isolated from genetically engineered mice, and primary cell lines limit the number of animals required for experiments. However, cell lines have several disadvantages: variability among donors, variability in culture conditions in different laboratories, potential phenotypic and genetic instability, and a limited life span in vitro (reviewed in ref. 1). Some of these disadvantages can be overcome by quality control procedures. For example, cell lines should not be passaged indefinitely; frozen stocks should be maintained and thawed at regular intervals to prevent phenotypic and genetic instability (reviewed in ref. 2). As in all cell culture models, precautions are required to prevent cross-contamination and contamination with bacteria or viruses. DNA profiles could be useful to identify cell lines; for example Manning et al (3) established initial genetic profiles for their panel of human malignant mesothelioma cell lines. All cultures should be screened for Mycoplasma and other pathogens (2). Technical details regarding primary human mesothelial cell cultures have been summarized by Versnel et al (1) and Gerwin (4). Briefly, primary human mesothelial cells require enriched culture media supplemented with 10% to 20% fetal bovine serum, exogenous growth factors [usually epidermal growth factor (EGF)], insulin, transferrin, and hydrocortisone. Rabbit, mouse, and rat primary mesothelial cells require similar growth conditions, with the important exception that growth of rat pleural mesothelial cells is inhibited by EGF. As reviewed by Walker et al (5), there are additional differences in expression of growth factors and their receptors between human and rat mesothelial cells (6). Differences in growth factor responses have been described in primary human mesothelial cell cultures derived from different donors (7).