MNNG-HOS (CL #5) Cells

The MNNG/HOS Cl #5 cell line [R-1059-D] is derived from the human osteosarcoma cell line HOS through in vitro transformation with N-methyl-N’-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) at a concentration of 0.01 mcg/ml. This compound is a potent carcinogen, and the transformation resulted in significant tumorigenic properties, evidenced by the formation of tumors in nude mice within 21 days at a 100% frequency when inoculated subcutaneously with 107 cells. These tumors were observed to be poorly differentiated sarcomas or osteosarcomas. The cell line was originally established from a 13-year-old White female patient with osteosarcoma and exhibits adherent growth properties. Functionally, MNNG/HOS Cl #5 cells demonstrate high saturation density and high plating efficiency in soft agar, reflecting their enhanced anchorage-independent growth, a hallmark of malignant transformation. Additionally, these cells exhibit notable fibrinolytic activity, which has been associated with increased tumorigenic potential. When compared to untreated HOS cells, MNNG-treated cells exhibit more robust cell aggregation properties and a higher propensity to form colonies in soft agar, which correlates with their tumor-forming abilities. In experiments, MNNG-transformed cells produced tumors in both nude mice and hamsters, with cells resembling the parent HOS line, while untreated cells were non-tumorigenic under similar conditions. This cell line is also useful in studying cancer progression and tumor biology, particularly osteosarcoma, as it provides a model of chemically induced transformation. The ability of these cells to grow in an immunocompromised environment (e.g., nude mice) makes them a valuable tool for preclinical cancer research, allowing for the investigation of tumorigenic mechanisms and the potential testing of therapeutic interventions.