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The origin and characteristics of a pig kidney cell strain, LLC-PK1

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Summary

A stable epithelial-like pig kidney cell strain has been established. This strain has been carried through more than 300 serial passages, has remained free of microbial and viral contaminants, and has retained a near diploid number of chromosomes. Attempts to produce tumors with these cells in immunosuppressed laboratory animals have been uniformly negative. The cells have grown rapidly in monolayer cultures with a split ratio of 1 to 15 at weekly intervals, but have failed to proliferate in suspension cultures. A subline adapted to growth on serum-free medium 199 has been carried through 145 passages on this medium. Several unusual morphologic features have been observed in these cultures including three-dimensional “domelike” structures. These cells have been found susceptible to some viruses and have been especially useful for viruses of domestic animals. LLC-PK1 cells have produced significant levels of plasminogen activator.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lilly Research Laboratories, Division of Eli Lilly and Company, 46206, Indianapolis, Indiana

    R. N. Hull, W. R. Cherry & G. W. Weaver

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  1. R. N. Hull
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  2. W. R. Cherry
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  3. G. W. Weaver
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Additional information

Histopathological examinations of animal tissues were done by Dr. C. G. Culbertson. Tests for mycoplasma were performed by Mr. D. H. Holmes.

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Hull, R.N., Cherry, W.R. & Weaver, G.W. The origin and characteristics of a pig kidney cell strain, LLC-PK1 . In Vitro Cell.Dev.Biol.-Plant 12, 670–677 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02797469

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