Cytogenomic Characterization of Murine Osteosarcoma Cell Line SEWA.

INTRODUCTION

The SEWA cell line, which is derived from a virus-induced murine osteosarcoma (OS) ascites, was established in the 1980s from a serially transplanted male-derived tumor that was first published in 1961. It has been applied in about 50 studies but was never genetically characterized in detail; this study fills that gap.

METHODS

The SEWA cell line was analyzed for its chromosomal constitution using molecular cytogenetic approaches. Array comparative genomic hybridization was performed to characterize copy number alterations.

RESULTS

SEWA has a near-diploid karyotype without Y-chromosome material. The complex karyotype includes neocentrics and simple and complex rearrangements. Amplification of MYC oncogene was detected in two homogeneously staining regions on two different derivative chromosomes.

CONCLUSION

An in silico translation of the obtained results to the human genome indicated that SEWA is suitable as a model for advanced human OS.