Human Cell Line, MCF7

Established from the pleural effusion from a 69 year female caucasian suffering from a breast adenocarcinoma. Cells exhibit some features of differentiated mammary epithelium including oestradiol synthesis and formation of domes.

• Tumourigenicity and virus studies: Type B and C viruses

Cells may carry B or C type retrovirus and are considered to represent a category 2 pathogen (P2 containment). Cells express both the wild type and variant oestrogen receptors as well as progesterone receptor. The cells should be handled under laboratory containment level 2.

DNA profile: STR-PCR data: Amelogenin: X, CSF1PO: 10, D13S317: 11, D16S539: 11,12, D5S818: 11,12, D7S820: 8,9, THO1: 6, TPOX: 9,12, vWA: 14,15.

Culture medium: EMEM (EBSS) + 2 mM Glutamine + 1% Non Essential Amino Acids NEAA + 10% Foetal Bovine Serum FBS/FCS.

Subculture routine: Split sub-confluent cultures (70 to 80%) 1:2 to 1:6 i.e. seeding at 2 to 4×10000 cells/cm² using 0,25% Trypsin or Trypsin/EDTA; 5% CO₂; 37 °C.

Karyotype: 2n = 46, hypertriploid to hypotetraploid
Morphology: Epithelial-like
Receptors: Reported to express the oestrogen and progesterone receptor
Technique: Cell culture
Relevant disease: Cancer
Synonym(s): IBMF-7 Cells, MCF7 Cells, Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 Cells, ssMCF-7 Cells