Finding Viruses in Prostate Cancer Cell Lines
Author Information
Author(s): Karen Sandell Sfanos, Amanda L. Aloia, Jessica L. Hicks, David M. Esopi, Jared P. Steranka, Wei Shao, Silvia Sanchez-Martinez, Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian, Kathleen H. Burns, Alan Rein, Angelo M. De Marzo
Primary Institution: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Do commonly used prostate cancer cell lines contain replication competent murine gammaretroviruses?
Conclusion
The study found that several prostate cancer cell lines are infected with replication competent murine gammaretroviruses.
Supporting Evidence
- Three prostate cancer cell lines were found to be positive for murine gammaretroviruses.
- Viral genome sequencing showed that the viruses in LAPC4 and VCaP were nearly identical to a known xenotropic MLV.
- Routine screening for retroviral contamination in cancer cell lines is recommended.
Takeaway
Researchers looked at cancer cell lines to see if they had viruses that could grow and spread, and they found some that did.
Methodology
The study used immunohistochemistry and PCR to screen 72 prostate cancer cell lines for the presence of gammaretroviruses.
Potential Biases
Potential contamination of cell lines during laboratory handling.
Limitations
The study does not clarify the source of retroviral infection in the cell lines.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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