[Cell biological characteristics of a human embryonal carcinoma cell line].

We examined the cell biological characteristics of a human embryonal carcinoma cell line. NEC 14, derived from a male germ cell tumor of testis origin. The following results were obtained. 1) The morphological characteristics of NEC 14 cells were small size, an increase in the N/C ratio and poor development of organelle and desmosome-like cell-cell junctions. The NEC 14 cells proliferated rapidly and the population doubling time in vitro was 17 hours. 2) The functional characteristics of NEC 14 cells were the localization of intermediate filaments such as keratin and vimentin, hCG secretion and tissue plasminogen activator and laminin synthesis and expression of cell surface antigens such as stage-specific embryonic antigen-3, trophoblast antigen and neuron cell surface antigen. 3) The mode of chromosome number was 58 and many abnormal and undetermined chromosomes were found in the NEC 14 cells. 4) Differentiation was observed in vitro and in the tumor tissues xenotransplanted into nude mice.