| BCRJ Code | 0317 |
| Cell Line | OVCAR-3 |
| Species | Homo sapiens |
| Vulgar Name | Human |
| Tissue | Ovary |
| Cell Type | Epithelial |
| Morphology | Epithelial |
| Disease | Adenocarcinoma |
| Growth Properties | Adherent |
| Sex | Female |
| Age/Ethinicity | 60 Year / Caucasian |
| Derivation | This cell line was established in 1982 by T.C. Hamilton, et al. from the malignant ascites of a patient with progressive adenocarcinoma of the ovary. |
| Applications | This cell line is a suitable transfection host and is an appropriate model system in which to study drug resistance in ovarian cancer, and the presence of hormone receptors should be useful for the evaluation of hormonal therapy. |
| Tumor Formation: | Yes, Forms colonies in soft agar Yes, in nude mice inoculated subcutaneously with 10(7) cells (Tumors developed within 21 days at 100% frequency (5/5).) |
| Biosafety | 1 |
| Addtional Info | Forms colonies in soft agar and has an abnormal karyotype. Resistant to clinically relevant concentrations of adriamycin, melphalan and cisplatin. Both cultured cells and xenografts exhibit androgen and estrogen receptors. Xenograft models have been used to show that treatment with 17 beta estradiol can induce progesterone receptors in this human ovarian carcinoma. |
| Culture Medium | RPMI-1640 medium modified to contain 2 mM L-glutamine, 4500 mg/L glucose, 0.01 mg/ml bovine insulin and fetal bovine serum to a final concentration of 20%. |
| Subculturing | Volumes used in this protocol are for 75 sq cm flasks; proportionally reduce or increase amount of dissociation medium for culture vessels of other sizes. Corning® T-75 flasks (catalog #430641) are recommended for subculturing this product. Remove and discard culture medium. Briefly rinse the cell layer with PBS without calcium and magnesium to remove all traces of serum which contains trypsin inhibitor. Add 2.0 to 3.0 mL of Trypsin-EDTA solution to flask and observe cells under an inverted microscope until cell layer is dispersed (usually within 5 to 15 minutes). Note: To avoid clumping do not agitate the cells by hitting or shaking the flask while waiting for the cells to detach. Cells that are difficult to detach may be placed at 37°C to facilitate dispersal. Add 2.0 to 3.0 mL of complete growth medium and aspirate cells by gently pipetting Resuspend the cell pellet in fresh growth medium. Add appropriate aliquots of the cell suspension to new culture vessels. Incubate cultures at 37°C. NOTE: For more information on enzymatic dissociation and subculturing of cell lines consult Chapter 12 in Culture of Animal Cells, a manual of Basic Technique by R. Ian Freshney, 6th edition, published by Alan R. Liss, N.Y., 2010. |
| Subculturing Medium Renewal | Every 2 to 3 days |
| Subculturing Subcultivation Ratio | 1:2 to 1:4 is recommended |
| Culture Conditions | Atmosphere: air, 95%; carbon dioxide (CO2), 5% Temperature: 37°C |
| Cryopreservation | 95% FBS + 5% DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide) |
| Thawing Frozen Cells | SAFETY PRECAUTION: Is highly recommend that protective gloves and clothing always be used and a full face mask always be worn when handling frozen vials. It is important to note that some vials leak when submersed in liquid nitrogen and will slowly fill with liquid nitrogen. Upon thawing, the conversion of the liquid nitrogen back to its gas phase may result in the vessel exploding or blowing off its cap with dangerous force creating flying debris. 1. Thaw the vial by gentle agitation in a 37°C water bath. To reduce the possibility of contamination, keep the Oring and cap out of the water. Thawing should be rapid (approximately 2 minutes). 2. Remove the vial from the water bath as soon as the contents are thawed, and decontaminate by dipping in or spraying with 70% ethanol. All of the operations from this point on should be carried out under strict aseptic conditions. 3. For cells that are sensitive to DMSO is recommended that the cryoprotective agent be removed immediately. Transfer the vial contents to a centrifuge tube containing 9.0 mL complete culture medium and spin at approximately 125 x g for 5 to 7 minutes. 4.Discard the supernatant and Resuspend cell pellet with the recommended complete medium (see the specific batch information for the culture recommended dilution ratio). 5. Incubate the culture in a appropriate atmosphere and temperature (see "Culture Conditions" for this cell line). NOTE: It is important to avoid excessive alkalinity of the medium during recovery of the cells. It is suggested that, prior to the addition of the vial contents, the culture vessel containing the growth medium be placed into the incubator for at least 15 minutes to allow the medium to reach its normal pH (7.0 to 7.6). |
| References | Hamilton TC, et al. Characterization of a human ovarian carcinoma cell line (NIH:OVCAR-3) with androgen and estrogen receptors. Cancer Res. 43: 5379-5389, 1983. |
| Depositors | Antonio Monteiro - Banco de Células do Rio de Janeiro |
