HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN IN BEWO TROPHOBLASTIC CELLS AFTER 12 YEARS IN CONTINUOUS CULTURE - RETENTION OF INTACT HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN SECRETION IN MECHANICALLY VERSUS ENZYME-DISPERSED CELLS

Gel filtration and radioimmunological studies were used to demonstrate that BeWo [human] malignant trophoblastic cells, subcultured for more than 12 yr as roller tube colonies using dissection by scalpel, retained the ability to secrete large quantities of intact hCG [human chorionic gonadotropin]. BeWo cells that were subcultured weekly for 12 yr using proteolytic enzyme dispersion lost their ability to secrete intact hCG. A large form of hCG-.alpha. was the major secretory product, along with lesser amounts of heterogeneous low MW forms of hCG-.beta.. The gradual loss of hormone secretory ability and fidelity of hormone product by cells in continuous culture is a well known phenomenon. The habitual use of trypsin-EDTA to subculture cells apparently may accelerate this process.