HUMAN MAMMARY CELL TYPES GENERATED (see Chart 1)

 

See “An Overview” for more information on the derivation of these cell types.

Live cells for distribution are sent frozen (in dry ice) in ampoules containing 5 x 10e5 or 1 x 10e6 cells. Under special circumstances, we can arrange to send growing cells in flasks. For some cell types, RNA is also available upon specific request.

See "REVIEW section VIII." for more information on cell shipments.

 

A. FINITE LIFESPAN HMEC

 

1. Pre-stasis (Chart 1, Panel C)

Reduction mammoplasty derived HMEC grown in a serum-containing medium, M87A or M85 (Stampfer et al. 1980; Stampfer 1982; Garbe et al. 2009)

 

We have large batches of pre-stasis HMEC to distribute at passages 4-8; most growth ceases around passages 13-16.  Lower passage amps are usually sent to allow growth of stocks in the recipient’s lab. Pre-stasis HMEC contain a range of phenotypes, particularly at lower passages.  Cells with luminal marker make up ~10-25% of the population.  They are genomically stable.  I most commonly distribute cells from specimens 184, 48R, and 240L (ages 16-21).  More limited quantities of HMEC derived from older woman are also available.

 

2. Post-stasis: Extended Life (EL) (p16 silenced/mutated) (Chart 1, Panel A)

Reduction mammoplasty derived HMEC from specimen 184 that were exposed to the chemical carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene in primary culture.

(Stampfer & Bartley 1985, 1988; Brenner et al., 1998; Novak et al. 2009)

 

Very limited quantities of the EL cultures are available.  These include: 184Aa (p16 mutated), the precursor of 184A1 and other 184A- lines; 184Be (p16 silenced),  the precursor of 184B5 and other 184B- lines, and 184Ce, the precursor of the184CeMY1 line. Talk with me directly about these cells.  More 184Aa is available than any other EL type. These cells were exposed to BaP and so likely harbor unknown errors.

 

3. Post-stasis: Post-selection (p16 silenced) (Chart 1, Panel B)

Reduction mammoplasty, non-tumor mastectomy, or benign tumor derived HMEC, grown in a serum-free medium, that emerge from populations at stasis following silencing of the p16 promoter.

(Hammond et al. 1984; Romanov et al. 2001; Garbe et al. 2007, 2009; Li et al. 2007)

 

We have large batches of post-selection HMEC frozen at around passages 7-10 that we distribute. Depending upon the individual, these cells cease active growth around passages 14-25 (about 3 PD per passage).  These cells are routinely available from women of different ages.  I most commonly distribute cells from specimens 184, 48R, 239, 240L and 161.

 

These cells are not normal.  They have overcome the stasis barrier and show many differences from the normal pre-stasis HMEC (e.g., gene expression and promoter methylation).  They express a predominantly basal phenotype, although some luminal marker may also be present at higher passages (e.g., mucins and keratin 18).  They become genomically unstable as they approach the telomere dysfunction senescence barrier.   Post-selection HMEC have also been referred to as vHMEC.  These are the cell type sold commercially as “normal primaries” although they are neither normal nor primaries. 

 

4. Post-stasis: GSE22 (p53 expression inhibited by GSE22) (Chart 1, Panel A)

Pre-stasis HMEC grown in MM that were transduced with GSE22 and show clonal escape from stasis.

(Garbe et al. 2007)

 

In 2 separate experiments pre-stasis 184 HMEC were transduced with a genetic suppressor element (GSE22) that produces a peptide that interferes with p53 function..  In both cases there were a few clonal outgrowths when the vast majority of the cells ceased growth at stasis.  These cells have not been well-characterized.  They express low but detectable p16. These cells are not routinely distributed.

 

5. Post-stasis: p16sh (p16 expression inhibited by shRNA to p16) (Chart 1, Panel C)

Pre-stasis HMEC grown in a serum-containing medium that were exposed to shRNA to p16 and show uniform bypass of stasis.

(Novak et al. 2009)

 

In 2 separate experiments pre-stasis 184 HMEC were transduced with shRNA to p16 (once in M85 medium, batch 184F; once in M87A+X medium, batch 184D).  These cells have not been well-characterized.  They express increased telomerase (TRAP) activity compared to the parental pre-stasis HMEC. These cells are not routinely distributed but can be made available.

 

B. FINITE LIFESPAN HUMAN MAMMARY FIBROBLAST CELLS (HMFC)

 

We have available for distribution stocks of fibroblast cells from several reduction mammoplasty specimens for which HMEC are available, e.g., specimens 184, 48, 240, and 161. These cells are grown in a serum-containing medium.  In theory, fibroblast stocks can be obtained from any of our specimens, including the mastectomy derived tissues, but we have not grown up stocks to distribute from more than a few.  Frozen cells are available around passages 5-8, and they senesce around passages 12-20 (2-3 PD per passage) depending upon the individual.  These cells grow slower than the HMEC, and we do not generally have as large stocks available.

 

C. PRIMARY TISSUES (Stampfer et al. 1980)

 

We have very limited quantities of frozen organoids, and are therefore very reluctant to distribute any of this material, but will make exceptions for specific studies. More primary tissue is available from reduction mammoplasties than mastectomies. Talk with me directly about these cells.

 

D. IMMORTALLY TRANSFORMED CELL LINES

(Stampfer & Bartley 1985, 1988; Walen & Stampfer 1989; Lehman et al. 1993; Brenner et al. 1998; Stampfer et al. 1997, 2001, 2003; Garbe et al. 1999, 2007; Nonet et al. 2001; Olsen et al. 2002; Chin et al. 2004; Li et al. 2007; Novak et al. 2009)

 

1. Immortal lines derived from cells grown in MM, following exposure to oncogenic agents (Chart 1, Panel A)

1a) Lines derived from cells exposed to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP); i.e. from the post-stasis EL cultures

184A1 (Stampfer & Bartley 1985)

Unlimited quantities of later passages of this immortal cell line are available for distribution.  Very limited quantities of early passage newly immortal (pre-conversion) cells are available upon specific request.  Clonal isolates are also available.  These cells are wild type for p53 and RB, and are not anchorage independent or tumorigenic.   They have the most stable karyotype of our BaP-exposed immortally transformed lines.  This line is derived from the EL precursor 184Aa (p16 mutated).

 

184A1-RF (Olsen et al.  2002)

184A1was transduced with an activated Raf-1 construct under the control of inducible ER.  These cells now have AIG and reduced EGF requirements for growth.

 

184A1-GSE22 (Stampfer et al.  2003)

184A1was transduced with GSE22.   When the GSE22 is introduced pre-conversion (passage 12) conversion proceeds rapidly. When the GSE22 is introduced into fully immortal 184A it can provide a matched p53(-) culture to the p53(+) 184A1. These cells are not routinely distributed but can be made available.

 

184A1-hTERT(12p) (Stampfer et al.  2001; Olsen et al 2002)

Early passage pre-conversion (passage 12) 184A1 was transduced with hTERT, resulting in immediate uniform immortalization without undergoing conversion. They remain sensitive to OIS. These cells are not routinely distributed.

 

184A1-hTERT(22p) (Stampfer et al.  2001)

184A1 already in the process of conversion (passage 22) was transduced with hTERT.  These cells proceeded through conversion to become fully immortal. These cells are not routinely distributed.

 

184A1- E6; -E7; -T; -E1A (Garbe et al.  1999)

Early passage pre-conversion (passage 12) 184A1 was transduced with either the HPV16 -E6, -E7, SV40T, or E1A genes. These viral oncogenes produce numerous effects that may accelerate or alter the conversion process. These cells are not routinely distributed.

 

184AA4 (Stampfer et al.  2003)

Unlimited quantities of later passages of this immortal line are available for distribution.   Early passage cells are not available. These cells are wild type for p53, and RB, and are not anchorage independent or tumorigenic.   They have many karyotypic abnormalities.   This line is derived from the EL precursor 184Aa.

 

184AA2 (Stampfer et al.  2003)

Unlimited quantities of this p53(-/-) immortal line are available for distribution. These cells are wild type for RB, and have AIG.  The karyotype is unstable.  184AA2 is derived from the same EL precursor population (184Aa) as 184A1 and 184AA4. 184Aa was transduced with retroviral vectors that gave insertional mutagenesis at the p53 locus. We presume this line acquired addition errors at crisis.

 

184AA3 (Stampfer et al.  2003)

Unlimited quantities of this p53(-/-) immortal line are available for distribution.  These cells are wild type for RB, and have AIG by passage 50.  The karyotype is unstable.  184AA3 is derived from the same EL precursor population (184Aa) as 184A1 and 184AA4. 184Aa was transduced with retroviral vectors that gave insertional mutagenesis at the p53 locus. We presume this line acquired addition errors at crisis.

 

184AA5-7

These are immortal lines that arose in finite lifespan post-stasis EL 184Aa populations transduced with control retroviruses.  They have not been characterized, but their early rapid growth suggests they are p53(-) like 184AA2 and 184AA3, and are a consequence of insertional mutagenesis. These cells are not routinely distributed.

 

184AaGS1-3

Finite lifespan post-stasis EL 184Aa was transduced with GSE22 and produced three immortally transformed cultures.  Immortalization is clonal, and each isolate is likely to be somewhat different.  We presume these lines have acquired addition errors at crisis. These lines have not been well-characterized and are not routinely distributed.

 

184AaMY1-5 (Garbe et al. in prep)

Finite lifespan post-stasis EL184Aa was transduced with c-myc on multiple occasions; each time there has been efficient relatively rapid immortalization of the population.  These lines have not been well-characterized. They are not routinely distributed but can be made available.

 

184AaZN1-3 (Nonet et al.  2001)

Finite lifespan post-stasis EL184Aa was transduced with the breast cancer -associated oncogene ZNF217 on multiple occasions. Immortalization is clonal, and each isolate is likely to be somewhat different.  We presume these lines have acquired additional errors during the period of agonescence. The lines examined are p53(+). They are not routinely distributed but can be made available.

 

184AaE6 (Garbe et al. 1999)
Transduction of the HPV16 E6 gene into post-stasis EL 184Aa produces common immortalization following crisis. These cells are not routinely distributed but can be made available.

 

184B5 (Stampfer & Bartley 1985)

Unlimited quantities of later passages of this immortal line are available for distribution.  More limited quantities of early passage newly immortal (pre- and mid- conversion) cells are available upon specific request.   Clonal isolates are also available. These cells are wild type for p53, and RB, and are not anchorage independent or tumorigenic.  They have a low level of karyotypic instability. This line is derived from the EL precursor 184Be.

 

184B5-erbB2

184B5 was transfected with the breast cancer associated oncogene erbB2; these cells exhibit AIG.

184B5ME was isolated from anchorage independent colonies of 184B5-erbB2 grown in methocel.   They have not been well-characterized.  Unlimited quantities are available.

 

184BE1 (Garbe et al. in prep)

This is a new line of indefinite lifespan that emerged from EL 184Be.  It is not yet well-characterized; it’s gradual conversion process is consistent with a p53(+) status. It is not yet available for distribution.

 

184BEMY1 (Garbe et al. in prep)

Finite lifespan EL184Be was transduced with c-myc, producing efficient relatively rapid immortalization of the population.  This line has not been well-characterized and is not yet available for distribution.

 

184CEMY1 (Garbe et al. in prep)

Finite lifespan EL184Ce was transduced with c-myc , producing  efficient relatively rapid immortalization of the population. This line has not been well-characterized and is not yet available for distribution. We have not derived any “spontaneous” lines from 184Ce (culture of 184Ce has been more limited than 184Aa or 184Be).

 

1b) Line derived from cells exposed to GSE22

184FGS1 (Garbe et al. 2007)

An immortal line emerged from one of the two post-stasis 184F-GSE22 cultures.  These cells have not been well-characterized. This line is not routinely distributed but can be made available.

 

1c) Line derived from cells exposed to hTERT

184FTERT (Stampfer et al.  2001)

Pre-stasis 184F grown in MM were transduced with hTERT at passage 3. A clonal population maintained growth after the vast majority of the cells ceased growth at stasis.  The population gradually lost expression of p16 while gaining resistance to TGFß growth inhibition.  These cells have not been well-characterized. This line is not routinely distributed but can be made available.

 

2. Immortal lines derived from post-selection HMEC grown in serum-free MCDB170 (Chart 1, Panel B)

 

2a) Lines derived from post-selection HMEC transduced with c-myc and/or ZNF217

184MY1 (Garbe et al. in prep)

Finite lifespan post-selection 184 was transduced with c-myc on multiple occasions.  In 10 independent experiments 1 clonal immortal line emerged.  We presume this line acquired additional errors during the period of agonescence.  These cells have not been well-characterized. This line is not routinely distributed but can be made available.

 

Our colleague Mark Jackson (Case Western) has transduced finite lifespan post-selection 48R with c-myc on multiple occasions; no immortal lines have emerged.

 

184ZN4-7 (Nonet et al. 2001; Chin et al. 2004)

Finite lifespan post-selection 184 was transduced with ZNF217 on multiple occasions.  In 6 independent experiments 4 clonal immortal lines emerged; each isolate is likely to be somewhat different.  We presume these lines acquired additional errors during the period of agonescence. The lines examined are p53(+).These lines are not routinely distributed but can be made available.

 

184ZNMY2-3 (Novak et al. 2009)

Finite lifespan post-selection 184 was transduced with ZNF217, followed by c-myc, on multiple occasions.  In 5 independent experiments 4 clonal immortal lines emerged.  Three of these lines emerged soon after the exposure to c-myc, prior to agonescence; Southern analysis indicated they are clonal.   The 2 lines examined by array CGH show no alterations in copy numbers.  We presume no additional genomic mutations were required for immortalization. These lines are not routinely distributed but can be made available on a collaborative basis upon request.

 

184ZNMY3-N (Garbe et al. in prep)

We have transduced 184ZNMY2 and 184ANMY3 with oncogenic erbB2 (neu).  These lines then acquired AIG. CGH analysis shows no copy number alterations.

 

2b) Lines derived from post-selection HMEC transduced with hTERT

184BTERT; 48RTERT; 161HTERT  (Stampfer et al.  2001; Olsen et al 2002)

Transduction of hTERT into post-selection p16(-) HMEC produces  efficient  immortalization bypassing the genomic instability of agonescence, and  conversion. The cells remain sensitive to OIS. Unlimited quantities of 184BTERT are available for distribution.

 

2c) Line derived from post-selection HMEC transduced with HPV-E6

184-E6 (Garbe et al. 1999)
Transduction of the HPV16 E6 gene into post-selection p16(-) HMEC produces common immortalization following crisis, bypassing conversion. These cells are not routinely distributed but can be made available.

 

3. Immortal lines derived from cells grown in the less stressful serum-containing M85/M87/M87A media ± oxytocin (X) (Chart 1, Panel C)

These lines are not yet available for routine distribution but can be made available on a collaborative basis upon request.

 

3a) Lines derived from  cells following transduction with c-myc and/or shRNA to p16 (Garbe et al. in prep)

184FMY2

Pre-stasis 184F growing in M85 were transduced with c-myc.  There was clonal escape from stasis, yielding an immortal line.

184Fp16s1

Pre-stasis 184F growing in M85 were transduced with shRNA to p16, producing post-stasis populations.  In one instance, a clonal immortal line emerged around the period of agonescence.

184Fp16sMY

Pre-stasis 184F growing in M85 were transduced with shRNA to p16, then c-myc, quickly producing increased telomerase activity and uniform immortalization, with no CGH changes.

 

3b) Lines derived from cells following transduction with hTERT (Garbe et al. in prep)

184DTERT

Pre-stasis 184D growing in M87A+X were transduced with hTERT.


Selected Publications:

 

Stampfer, M.R., Hallowes, R. and Hackett, A.J., Growth of Normal Human Mammary Epithelial Cells in Culture.  In Vitro 16:415-425, 1980. PMID: 6993343

 

Stampfer, M.R., Cholera Toxin Stimulation of Human Mammary Epithelial Cells in Culture.  In Vitro 18:531-537, 1982. PMID: 6288550

 

Hammond, S.L., Ham, R.G., and Stampfer, M.R., Serum-free Growth of Human Mammary Epithelial Cells: Rapid Clonal Growth in Defined Medium and Extended Serial Passage with Pituitary Extract.  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 81:5435-5439, 1984. PMID: 6591199

 

Stampfer, M.R., and Bartley, J.C., Induction of Transformation and Continuous Cell Lines from Normal Human Mammary Epithelial Cells after Exposure to Benzo(a)pyrene. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 82:2394-2398, 1985. PMID: 3857588

 

Stampfer, M.R., and Bartley, J.C., Human Mammary Epithelial Cells in Culture: Differentiation and Transformation. Cancer Treat Res 40: 1-24, 1988. PMID: 2908646

 

Walen, K.H., and Stampfer, M.R., Chromosome Analyses of Human Mammary Epithelial Cells (HMEC) at Stages of Chemically-induced Transformation Progression to Immortality, Cancer Genet. Cytogen. 37:249-261, 1989. PMID: 2702624

 

Lehman T, Modali R, Boukamp P, Stanek, J., Bennett, W.P., Welsh, J.A., Metcalf, R.A., Stampfer, M.R., Fusenig, N., Rogan, E.M., Reddel, R., and Harris, C.C. p53 mutations in human immortalized epithelial cell lines. Carcinogenesis 14, 833-839, 1993. PMID: 8504475

 

Stampfer, MR, Bodnar, A, Garbe, J, Wong, M, Pan, A, Villeponteau, B, Yaswen, P, Gradual phenotypic conversion associated with immortalization of cultured human mammary epithelial cells, Mol Biol Cell 8:2391-2405, 1997. PMID: 9398663

 

Brenner, AJ, Stampfer, MR, Aldaz, M, Increased p16 expression with first senescence arrest in human mammary epithelial cells and extended growth capacity with inactivation, Oncogene 17:199-205, 1998. PMID: 9674704

 

Garbe, J, Wong, M, Wigington, D, Yaswen, P, Stampfer, MR, Viral oncogenes accelerate conversion to immortality of cultured conditionally immortal human mammary epithelial cells, Oncogene 18:2169-2180, 1999. PMID: 10327063

 

Romanov, SR,  Kozakiewicz, K, Holst, CR, Stampfer, MR, Haupt, LM, Tlsty, TD, Normal human mammary epithelial cells spontaneously escape senescence and acquire genomic changes, Nature 409:633-637, 2001. PMID: 11214324

 

Nonet, GH, Stampfer, M, Chin, K, Gray, JW, Collins, CC, Yaswen, P, The ZNF217 Gene amplified in breast cancers promotes immortalization of human mammary epithelial cells, Cancer Res. 61: 1250-1254, 2001. PMID: 11245413

 

Stampfer, MR, Garbe, J, Levine, G, Lichtsteiner, S, Vasserot, AP, Yaswen, P, hTERT expression can induce resistance to TGFß growth inhibition in p16INK4A(-) human mammary epithelial cells, Proc Natl Acad Sci (USA) 98:4498-4503, 2001. PMID: 11287649

 

Olsen CL, Gardie, B, Yaswen, P, Stampfer, MR, Raf-1-induced growth arrest in human mammary epithelial cells is p16-independent and is overcome in immortal cells during conversion, Oncogene 21:6328-6339, 2002. PMID: 12214273

 

Stampfer, M, Garbe, J, Nijjar, T, Wigington, D, Swisshelm, K, Yaswen, P, Loss of p53 function accelerates acquisition of telomerase activity in indefinite lifespan human mammary epithelial cell lines, Oncogene 22:5238-5251, 2003. PMID: 12917625

 

Chin, K, Ortiz de Solorzano, C, Knowles, D, Jones, A, Chou,W, Rodriguez, E, Kuo, W-L, Ljung, B-M, Chew, K, Krig, S, Garbe, J, Stampfer, M, Yaswen, P, Gray, JW, Lockett, SJ. In Situ Analysis of Genome Instability in Breast Cancer.  Nature Genetics:36, 984-988 2004. PMID: 15300252

 

Li Y,  Pan J, Li J-L, Lee J-H, Tunkey C,  Saraf K, Garbe J, Jelinsky S, Stampfer MR, Haney,  SA, Transcriptional Changes Associated with Breast Cancer Occur as Normal Human Mammary Epithelial Cells Overcome Senescence Barriers and Become Immortalized. Mol Can 6:7, 2007. PMID: 17233903

 

Garbe, J, Holst, CR, Bassett, E, Tlsty, T, Stampfer, MR, Inactivation of p53 Function in Cultured Human Mammary Epithelial Cells Turns the Telomere-Length Dependent Senescence Barrier from Agonescence into Crisis. Cell Cycle 6:1927-1936, 2007. PMID: 17671422

 

Novak, P, Jensen, TJ, Garbe, JC, Stampfer, MR, Futscher, BW, Step-wise DNA methylation changes are linked to escape from defined proliferation barriers and mammary epithelial cell immortalization, Cancer Res 69:5251-58, 2009. PMID: 18922938

 

Garbe JC, Bhattacharya S, Merchant B, Bassett E, Swisshelm K, Feiler HS, Wyrobek AJ, Stampfer MR, Molecular distinctions between the stasis and telomere attrition senescence barriers demonstrated by long-term culture of normal human mammary epithelial cells. Cancer Res 69:7557-7568, 2009. NIHMS140241


Summary List of HUMAN MAMMARY CELL TYPES THAT WE DISTRIBUTE (see Chart 1)


A. FINITE LIFESPAN HMEC

 

1. Pre-stasis (Chart 1, Panel C)

Reduction mammoplasty derived HMEC grown in a serum-containing medium, M87A or M85

2. Post-stasis: Extended Life (EL) (p16 silenced/mutated) (Chart 1, Panel A)

Reduction mammoplasty derived HMEC from specimen 184 that were exposed to the chemical carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene in primary culture.

3. Post-stasis: Post-selection (p16 silenced) (Chart 1, Panel B)

Reduction mammoplasty, non-tumor mastectomy, or benign tumor derived HMEC, grown in a serum-free medium, that emerge from populations at stasis following silencing of the p16 promoter.

4. Post-stasis: GSE22 (p53 expression inhibited by GSE22) (Chart 1, Panel A)

Pre-stasis HMEC grown in MM that were exposed to GSE22.

5. Post-stasis: p16sh (p16 expression inhibited by shRNA to p16) (Chart 1, Panel C)

Pre-stasis HMEC grown in a serum-containing medium that were exposed to shRNA to p16 and show uniform bypass of stasis.

 

B. FINITE LIFESPAN HUMAN MAMMARY FIBROBLAST CELLS (HMFC)


C. PRIMARY TISSUES

 

D. IMMORTALLY TRANSFORMED CELL LINES


1. Immortal lines derived from cells grown in MM, following exposure to oncogenic agents (Chart 1, Panel A)

1a) Lines derived from cells exposed to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP); i.e. from the post-stasis EL cultures

184A1

184A1-RF

184A1-GSE22

184A1-hTERT(a)

184A1-hTERT(b)

184A1- E6; -E7; -T; -E1A

184AA4

184AA2

184AA3

184AA5-7

184AaGS1,2

184AaMY1-5

184AaZN1-3
184AaE6

184B5

184B5-erbB2

184B5ME

184BE1

184BEMY1

184CEMY1

1b) Line derived from cells exposed to GSE22

184FGS1

1c) Line derived from cells exposed to hTERT

184FTERT

 

2. Immortal lines derived from post-selection HMEC grown in serum-free MCDB170 (Chart 1, Panel B)

2a) Lines derived from post-selection HMEC transduced with c-myc and/or ZNF217

184MY1

184ZN4-7

184ZNMY2-3

184ZNMY3-N

2b) Lines derived from post-selection HMEC transduced with hTERT

184BTERT; 48RTERT; 161HTERT

2c) Line derived from post-selection HMEC transduced with HPV-E6

184-E6

 

3. Immortal lines derived from cells grown in the less stressful serum-containing M85/M87/M87A media ± oxytocin (X) (Chart 1, Panel C)

3a) Lines derived from following transduction with c-myc and/or shRNA to p16

184FMY2

184Fp16s1

184Fp16sMY

3b) Lines derived from following transduction with hTERT

184DTERT