A Transplantable Hamster Sarcoma Produced by Spontaneously Transformed Kidney Cell Line of Baby Hamster

Summary

The cytogenetic and fumorigenic properties of a spontaneously transformed kidney cell line (BHK 21) of the baby hamster are described. The monolayers of cultures were composed of fibroblast-like, epithelial-like, and syncytial cells. Chromosome studies revealed a mode of 43, with aneuploidy and morphologic alteration. The 500 BHK 21 cells, implanted intradermally, provoked polymorphous sarcoma in 100 of the hamsters for approximately 23 days. Tumor was about 90% transplantable in series and grew for 4–5 days after grafting. General and microscopic characteristics of the BHK 21 polymorphous sarcoma are given. The average life of the animals with sarcoma was 60–90 days. Sarcomas reached an average weight of 30–40 g and metastasized to the lymph nodes and parenchymatous organs.