Q1. What is the difference between the HeLa-derived new strain cell line and the HeLa cell cross-contamination cell line?
Most contaminating cell lines are discarded, but occasionally contaminating cells acquire new properties (e.g., by mutation or viral transfection, e.g., by the HeLa derivative Det98) and eventually constitute a new line and are therefore not discarded. Thus In the case of KB (CVCL_0372) cells, I would like to know which type of cell line it is.
Q2. HeLa cell derivative KB cells are described as 'oral carcinoma' or 'cervical carcinoma' in some research.
Currently, I am conducting an anti-cancer experiment using KB cells. I wonder if there is any problem in writing a thesis by treating KB cells as cervical cancer and accurately defining them as HeLa derivatives.
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Related reference
1) Vaughan, L., Glänzel, W., Korch, C., & Capes-Davis, A. (2017). Widespread Use of Misidentified Cell Line KB (HeLa): Incorrect Attribution and Its Impact Revealed through Mining the Scientific LiteratureWidespread Use of Misidentified Cell Lines. Cancer research, 77(11), 2784-2788. https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-16-2258
2) https://meshb.nlm.nih.gov/record/ui?ui=D007624
Hello Eunyoung Choi
Q1. What is the difference between the HeLa-derived new strain cell line and the HeLa cell cross-contamination cell line?
HeLa-derived new strain cell line is a derivative of the parental cell line which is distinct from the parental line because it carries a stable defined genetic modification, which is either induced (e.g. transgene) or may have occurred spontaneously (e.g. mutation) in the parental line. The parental line and its derivative have the same human donor. As an example which you mentioned, Det98/AH2 Clone B (HeLa derivative) cell line has been shown to be resistant to 8-azaguanine. This cell line was found to be indistinguishable from HeLa by STR PCR DNA profiling. Therefore, this cell line should be considered as derived from HeLa.
On the other hand, HeLa cell cross-contamination cell line refers to contamination of the culture with HeLa cells. Cross-contamination initially results in a mixed culture, containing cells from the authentic culture (say KB culture) and the contaminant (HeLa). If the contaminant (HeLa) has a survival advantage, for instance, if it proliferates more rapidly (a well known characteristic of HeLa cells), then it will overgrow and replace the authentic cells (KB cells) within the culture. A contaminant usually comes from a different donor or species and so can be detected by authentication testing.
Q2.HeLa cell derivative KB cells are described as 'oral carcinoma' or 'cervical carcinoma' in some research.
The KB cell line was first believed to be established from a removal of human mouth epidermal carcinoma of the nasopharynx, a type of throat cancer. KB cells exhibit an epithelial cell morphology and are known to produce keratin. However, recent testing has identified HeLa cell line marker chromosomes in the KB cell line, and through DNA fingerprinting, KB cells are now thought to have been produced due to HeLa cell contamination. Furthermore, KB cells contain human papillomavirus 18 sequences, just like the HeLa cell line does, and are positive for keratin by immunoperoxidase staining.
So, as of today, KB cell line is known to be a subline of the KERATIN-forming tumor cell line HeLa. KB is one among many cell lines that were suspected to be contaminated by HeLa. Similarities in enzymatic patterns between HeLa cells and KB cells is suggestive that KB might have been contaminated at one time by HeLa cells which subsequently took over.
You may want to refer to the paper which I have attached below for more information.
Article HeLa cells and their possible contamination of other cell li...
Thus In the case of KB (CVCL_0372) cells, I would like to know which type of cell line it is.
So, I suppose KB cells are not cervical cancer cells but instead a subline of the KERATIN-forming tumor cell line HeLa, and you cannot term these cells as HeLa derivative.
Best.
They are misidentified HeLa Cell Line
https://www.cellosaurus.org/CVCL_0372
Q1. The KB cell line (CVCL_0372) is derived from a cell line called HeLa, but it is not considered a HeLa cross-contamination cell line. Instead, KB cells are classified as HeLa derivatives. The term "HeLa derivative" refers to cell lines that have been derived from the original HeLa cell line through various means, such as mutation or viral transfection. These derivatives can acquire different characteristics and properties while still retaining some similarities to the parent HeLa cells.
Q2. KB cells are commonly described as an oral carcinoma cell line, rather than a cervical carcinoma cell line. While both oral carcinoma and cervical carcinoma are types of cancer, it is important to accurately define the cell line being used in your research. In this case, KB cells are derived from HeLa cells, which are originally derived from cervical cancer cells.
When writing your thesis, it is crucial to provide accurate and specific information about the cell line you are using. You can mention that KB cells are derived from HeLa cells, which were derived from cervical cancer cells. However, it is generally recommended to refer to KB cells as an oral carcinoma cell line, as that is the most commonly accepted designation for this specific cell line.
All the best
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