Induction of human choriogonadotropin and follitropin in HeLa cell cultures by hyperosmolality

R. J. Fallon, R. P. Cox, N. K. Ghosh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The growth of cervical carcinoma cell (HeLa) cultures in a hyperosmolar environment stimulates increased production of the onco‐developmental peptides human choriogonadotropin (hCG) and follitropin (FSH). This effect was observed in two sublines examined in this study, HeLa65 and HeLa71. hCG and FSH were measured by radioimmunoassay using antiserum against the β‐subunit of the hormone dimer, thus insuring immunochemical specificity. The amounts of hCG and FSH produced by HeLa65 and HeLa71 cells cultured in hyperosmolar medium were 2‐ to 50‐fold higher than corresponding hormone levels in basal cultures. Synthesis of gonadotropins depended on concentration and duration of exposure to hyperosmolar medium. Levels of culture medium osmolality effective in inducing hormone production also inhibit the incorporation of 14C‐thymidine into acid‐insoluble macromolecules. Hyperosmolality thus stimulates the ectopic production of gonadotropic hormones while retarding cellular growth and nucleic acid synthesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)613-618
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of cellular physiology
Volume98
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1979

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

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