Frequent Establishment of Long-term-cultured Myofibroblast Cell Lines Derived from Dupuytren’s Nodules, Which Are Implantable into Nude Mice

The purpose of this study is to establish myofibroblast cell lines derived from Dupuytren’s nodules. Cells were obtained from 6 patients with Dupuytren’s contracture, and those from 4 out of the 6 patients were serially passaged. The morphologic characteristics were observed by light and electron microscopies. Each karyotype was analyzed by a trypsin-Giemsa banding technique. The production of α smooth muscle actin (αSMA) was detected by immunological methods and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) was measured by enzyme immunoassay. Xenografting was performed by inoculating the cultured cells into 5-weekold nude mice (BALB/c nu). The cell lines could be subcultured for more than 1 year, therefore, we considered them to be established. Spindle-shaped cells were arranged irregularly, and showed myofibroblast-specific ultrastructural characteristics. The karyotype analysis did not reveal any deletion of the chromosomes where αSMA and TGFβ1 genes were localized. The cell lines showed electron-dense bundles and maintained the production of αSMA, its messenger RNA, and TGFβ1. The implantability into nude mice was 33-100%. Our results indicated that the established cell lines were myofibroblastic cell lines. We could implant the cell lines into nude mice and they may have beneficial applications in animal models of contractile diseases.