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Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Stimulates Proliferation of Nb 2 Rat Lymphoma Cells^*

Shlomo Melmed and Glenn D. Braunstein

Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center-UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90048

Address requests for reprints to: Dr. Shlomo Melmed, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Box 48750, Los Angeles, California 90048.

The effects of an onco-fetal hormone, hCG; were tested on replication of Nb 2 node rat lymphoma cells, which have previously been shown to be responsive to lactogenic hormone stimulation. Cells were maintained in suspension culture in Ham's F-10 medium containing horse serum (15%) and fetal calf serum (2.5%). Forty-eight hours before experiments, medium was replaced with horse serum (10%) only. In the absence of added hCG, cell doubling time was about 24 h. Purified hCG preparations (CR 119) and the Second International Standard for hCG (WHO) stimulated lymphoma cell replication after 72 h of exposure to the cells. The stimulation was dose dependent, beginning at 100 pg/ml and peaking at 10 ng/ml (140% vs. controls, P < 0.001). Specific hCG antiserum (SB6) did not alter cell replication, but when added simulanteously with hCG, completely blocked the stimulation induced by hCG (10 ng/ml). No effect on cell proliferation was seen when the β-subunit of hCG, the common glycoprotein -subunit, human LH, FSH, or placental lactogen was added to the cells. These results indicate that hCG can stimulate proliferation of rat lymphoma cells in vitro. If hCG affects human tumors in a similar fashion, the ectopic production of the hormone by tumors may stimulate growth of the neoplasm. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 56: 1069, 1983)

^* This work was supported by PHS Grant HD-13042 and a Bio-Sciences Laboratories Endocrine Research Fellowship, Los Angeles, CA.

Recipient of a Clinical Investigator Award from the NIAMDD (AM-00906).

Received May 25, 1982.

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