Henrietta Lacks, HeLa Cells, and Cell Culture Contamination

2009 ◽  
Vol 133 (9) ◽  
pp. 1463-1467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan P. Lucey ◽  
Walter A. Nelson-Rees ◽  
Grover M. Hutchins
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cell Culture ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Human Cell Line ◽  
Hela Cell Line ◽  
Cell Line Hela ◽  
The World ◽  
Cell Culture Contamination ◽  
Line Hela

Abstract Henrietta Lacks died in 1951 of an aggressive adenocarcinoma of the cervix. A tissue biopsy obtained for diagnostic evaluation yielded additional tissue for Dr George O. Gey's tissue culture laboratory at Johns Hopkins (Baltimore, Maryland). The cancer cells, now called HeLa cells, grew rapidly in cell culture and became the first human cell line. HeLa cells were used by researchers around the world. However, 20 years after Henrietta Lacks' death, mounting evidence suggested that HeLa cells contaminated and overgrew other cell lines. Cultures, supposedly of tissues such as breast cancer or mouse, proved to be HeLa cells. We describe the history behind the development of HeLa cells, including the first published description of Ms Lacks' autopsy, and the cell culture contamination that resulted. The debate over cell culture contamination began in the 1970s and was not harmonious. Ultimately, the problem was not resolved and it continues today. Finally, we discuss the philosophical implications of the immortal HeLa cell line.

scholarly journals Proteomic analysis of effects by x-rays and heavy ion in HeLa cells

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhitong Bing ◽  
Guanghui Yang ◽  
Yanan Zhang ◽  
Fengling Wang ◽  
Caiyong Ye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Line ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Heavy Ion ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Stable Isotope Labelling ◽  
Carbon Ion ◽  
Cell Line Hela ◽  
Line Hela

Abstract Background. Carbon ion therapy may be better against cancer than the effects of a photon beam. To investigate a biological advantage of carbon ion beam over X-rays, the radioresistant cell line HeLa cells were used. Radiationinduced changes in the biological processes were investigated post-irradiation at 1 h by a clinically relevant radiation dose (2 Gy X-ray and 2 Gy carbon beam). The differential expression proteins were collected for analysing biological effects. Materials and methods. The radioresistant cell line Hela cells were used. In our study, the stable isotope labelling with amino acids (SILAC) method coupled with 2D-LC-LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometry was applied to identity and quantify the differentially expressed proteins after irradiation. The Western blotting experiment was used to validate the data. Results. A total of 123 and 155 significantly changed proteins were evaluated with treatment of 2 Gy carbon and X-rays after radiation 1 h, respectively. These deregulated proteins were found to be mainly involved in several kinds of metabolism processes through Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. The two groups perform different response to different types of irradiation. Conclusions. The radioresistance of the cancer cells treated with 2 Gy X-rays irradiation may be largely due to glycolysis enhancement, while the greater killing effect of 2 Gy carbon may be due to unchanged glycolysis and decreased amino acid metabolism.

Evaluating the cytotoxicity of ionic liquids using human cell line HeLa

2004 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 513-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Stepnowski ◽  
A C Skladanowski ◽  
A Ludwiczak ◽  
E Laczyńska
Keyword(s):  
Ionic Liquids ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Human Tumor ◽  
Tumor Cell Line ◽  
Human Cell Line ◽  
Imidazolium Ionic Liquids ◽  
Cell Line Hela ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Line Hela

This paper presents cytotoxicity data of selected imidazolium ionic liquids evaluated in vitro on the human tumor cell line HeLa. It was found that for 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium entities the toxicity depends strongly on the associated anion; EC50 values are lowest for tetrafluoroborate. No direct dependence of the reduced effect concentration was found on elongating the short, methyl chain to ethyl or n-hexyl. Only for the ionic liquid with an n-decyl chain, the longest one studied, did higher hydrophobicity result in a EC50 one order of magnitude lower than that obtained with the n-butyl entity. The effect concentrations of imidazolium ionic liquids in the HeLa system used are lower than the values obtained for conventional organic solvents such as dichloromethane, toluene or xylene.

Cytotoxicity of ionic liquids and precursor compounds towards human cell line HeLa

2007 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuefeng Wang ◽  
C. André Ohlin ◽  
Qinghua Lu ◽  
Zhaofu Fei ◽  
Jun Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ionic Liquids ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Human Cell ◽  
Human Cell Line ◽  
Cell Line Hela ◽  
Line Hela

Identification and Expression Analysis of CD73 Inhibitors in Cervical Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamshed Iqbal ◽  
Ayesha Basharat ◽  
Sehrish Bano ◽  
Syed Mobasher Ali Abid ◽  
Julie Pelletier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Hela Cell ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Immunofluorescence Staining ◽  
Cell Cycle Analysis ◽  
Hela Cell Line ◽  
Cell Line Hela

Aims: The present study was conducted to examine the inhibitory effects of synthesized sulfonylhydrazones on the expression of CD73 (ecto-5′-NT). Background: CD73 (ecto-5′-NT) represents the most significant class of ecto-nucleotidases which are mainly responsible for dephosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate to adenosine. Inhibition of CD73 played an important role in the treatment of cancer, autoimmune disorders, precancerous syndromes, and some other diseases associated with CD73 activity. Objective: Keeping in view the significance of CD73 inhibitor in the treatment of cervical cancer, a series of sulfonylhydrazones (3a-3i) derivatives synthesized from 3-formylchromones were evaluated. Methods: All sulfonylhydrazones (3a-3i) were evaluated for their inhibitory activity towards CD73 (ecto-5′-NT) by the malachite green assay and their cytotoxic effect was investigated on HeLa cell line using MTT assay. Secondly, most potent compound was selected for cell apoptosis, immunofluorescence staining and cell cycle analysis. After that, CD73 mRNA and protein expression were analyzed by real-time PCR and Western blot. Results: Among all compounds, 3h, 3e, 3b, and 3c were found the most active against rat-ecto-5′-NT (CD73) enzyme with IC50 (µM) values of 0.70 ± 0.06 µM, 0.87 ± 0.05 µM, 0.39 ± 0.02 µM and 0.33 ± 0.03 µM, respectively. These derivatives were further evaluated for their cytotoxic potential against cancer cell line (HeLa). Compound 3h and 3c showed the cytotoxicity at IC50 value of 30.20 ± 3.11 µM and 86.02 ± 7.11 µM, respectively. Furthermore, compound 3h was selected for cell apoptosis, immunofluorescence staining and cell cycle analysis which showed promising apoptotic effect in HeLa cells. Additionally, compound 3h was further investigated for its effect on expression of CD73 using qRT-PCR and western blot. Conclusion: Among all synthesized compounds (3a-3i), Compound 3h (E)-N'-((6-ethyl-4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl) methylene)-4-methylbenzenesulfonohydrazide was identified as most potent compound. Additional expression studies conducted on HeLa cell line proved that this compound successfully decreased the expression level of CD73 and thus inhibiting the growth and proliferation of cancer cells.

Photodynamic therapy in a cervico-uterine cancer cell line (HeLa) implanted in nu/nu mice

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Ramon Gallegos ◽  
Salomon Hernandez Guitierrez ◽  
Leticia Garduno Siciliano ◽  
Jose L. Jiminez Perez ◽  
Aura J. Perez Zapata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Photodynamic Therapy ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Uterine Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cell Line ◽  
Cell Line Hela ◽  
Line Hela

The Cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, Irinotecan, and Gemcitabine Treatment in Resistant 2D and 3D Model Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Line: ABCG2 Expression Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatma Kubra Ata ◽  
Serap Yalcin
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cell Culture ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Expression Profile ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Parental Cell ◽  
Parental Cell Line ◽  
Xtt Assay ◽  
Gene And Protein Expression

Background: Chemotherapeutics have been commonly used in cancer treatment. Objective: In this study, the effects of Cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, Irinotecan, and Gemcitabine have been evaluated on two-dimensional (2D) (sensitive and resistance) cell lines and three dimensional (3D) spheroid structure of MDA-MB-231. The 2D cell culture lacks a natural tissue-like structural so, using 3D cell culture has an important role in the development of effective drug testing models. Furthermore, we analyzed the ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily G Member 2 (ABCG2) gene and protein expression profile in this study. We aimed to establish a 3D breast cancer model that can mimic the in vivo 3D breast cancer microenvironment. Methods: The 3D spheroid structures were multiplied (globally) using the three-dimensional hanging drop method. The cultures of the parental cell line MDA-MB-231 served as the controls. After adding the drugs in different amounts we observed a clear and well-differentiated spheroid formation for 24 h. The viability and proliferation capacity of 2D (sensitive and resistant) cell lines and 3D spheroid cell treatment were assessed by the XTT assay. Results: Cisplatin, Irinotecan, 5-Fu, and Gemcitabine-resistant MDA-MB-231 cells were observed to begin to disintegrate in a three-dimensional clustered structure at 24 hours. Additionally, RT-PCR and protein assay showed overexpression of ABCG2 when compared to the parental cell line. Moreover, MDA-MB-231 cells grown in 3D showed decreased sensitivity to chemotherapeutics treatment. Conclusion: More resistance to chemotherapeutics and altered gene expression profile was shown in 3D cell cultures when compared with the 2D cells. These results might play an important role to evaluate the efficacy of anticancer drugs, explore mechanisms of MDR in the 3D spheroid forms.

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