A collection of cellsFunctionally differentiated cell lines. Edited by G. Sato. New York: Alan R....
1
Cell. Vol. 29, 1053-I 057, July 1982, Copyright 0 1982 by MIT Book Reviews A Collection of Cells Functionally Differentiated Cell Lines. Edited by G. Sato. New York: Alan R. Liss. (1981). 280 pp. $38.00. This volume deals with a strangely neglected field of biological studies which is now emerging into promi- nence. The concept of functionally differentiated cell lines that can be used to study cell and organ physi- ology in vitro is not new, but despite the availability of such cell lines, they have been relatively ignored in research. Two basic fears probably contribute to this neglect. One concern is the question of how normal these cell lines are and whether the data obtained with, for example, kidney-derived cell lines, have any bearing on kidney physiology. The other phobia is related to the permanent feeling among many scien- tists that such cell lines are very difficult to grow and control and that they undergo many spontaneous changes, both in time and between laboratories. The collection of articles presented in this book will, to a large extent, answer the above questions and possibly alleviate some of the apprehension of work- ing with these “tricky” cells. The first half of the book concerns hormone-dependent and hormone-produc- ing cell lines derived from tumors or organs. A detailed analysis of estrogen-dependent cell lines is presented by Leland, lio and Sirbasku, together with a discussion of the role of hormones in tumor growth and of the possible mechanism for regulating the transition of tumors from hormone dependency to autonomous growth. Growth hormone and prolactin producing cells derived from the rat pituitary gland are described by Bankroft. An excellent description of studies with the now classic Yl adrenocortical tumor cell line is provided by Schimmer. This chapter is the best ap- proximation of what one would like to see in this kind of book. The emphasis is placed on studies that would be difficult or impossible without cloned cell lines (somatic cell genetic and metabolic approaches). The description of the Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line as a model of transepithelial transport is a good example of the precise physiological studies one can perform using in vitro cultures. The second half of the book essentially concerns cell lines that were used to study various aspects of differentiation. Glial and neuronal cell lines, teratocar- cinema-derived cell lines, myeloma-derived cell lines and erythroleukemia cell lines are all discussed in considerable detail. In addition to description of the isolation and growth properties of the cell lines, the accent is usually on attempts to elucidate various differentiation pathways and mechanisms regulating differentiation. The book would have benefited from a firmer edi- torial input to ensure that each chapter cover the main points stressed in the introduction. As it stands, the chapters vary in character from straight reviews to research papers. Some subjects are presented in a very practical way, describing methodology and tech- nical pitfalls; it is unfortunate that not all of the authors used this approach. The ephemeral nature of any book of this type is the perennial complaint of the reader (the last references are from early 1981); up- dating galley proofs or using faster printing techniques might have at least diminished this problem. A less expensive book might have also resulted from the latter approach. The most serious criticism is related to the depth in which the different topics are covered. It is true that the book was prepared at the time when our knowl- edge of this field was rapidly expanding; however, one would like considerably more material on, for example, the mechanism of action of different growth factors. In addition, some of the chapters are extremely de- tailed, while others (most notably that on lymphocytes and hybridoma cell lines) are rather superficial and hurried. It was probably difficult to decide which of the numerous functionally differentiated cell lines deserve mention, but in my opinion, human hepatoma cell lines, which retain many liver cell functions and will be extensively used, deserved inclusion (Knowles et al., Science 209, 497-499, 1980). A chapter on the role of extracellular matrix in maintaining differentiated cells in vitro would also be most welcome (Gospoda- rowicz et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 77, 4094- 4098). Many researchers entering this field will find this book useful; however, with a little more effort on the part of the authors and editor, they might have found it indispensable. Davor Solter The Wistar Institute Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 Theology of the Cell Cycle The Cell Cycle. Society for Experimental Biology. Seminar Series, 10. Edited by P. C. L. John. New York: Cambridge University Press. (1981). 276 pp. $47.50-cloth; $18.95-paper. The intention of this book is to show how research has altered our perspective of the cell cycle since the
Transcript of A collection of cellsFunctionally differentiated cell lines. Edited by G. Sato. New York: Alan R....
Cell. Vol. 29, 1053-I 057, July 1982, Copyright 0 1982 by MIT
Book Reviews
A Collection of Cells
Functionally Differentiated Cell Lines. Edited by G. Sato. New York: Alan R. Liss. (1981). 280 pp. $38.00.
This volume deals with a strangely neglected field of biological studies which is now emerging into promi- nence. The concept of functionally differentiated cell lines that can be used to study cell and organ physi- ology in vitro is not new, but despite the availability of such cell lines, they have been relatively ignored in research. Two basic fears probably contribute to this neglect. One concern is the question of how normal these cell lines are and whether the data obtained with, for example, kidney-derived cell lines, have any bearing on kidney physiology. The other phobia is related to the permanent feeling among many scien- tists that such cell lines are very difficult to grow and control and that they undergo many spontaneous changes, both in time and between laboratories.
The collection of articles presented in this book will, to a large extent, answer the above questions and possibly alleviate some of the apprehension of work- ing with these “tricky” cells. The first half of the book concerns hormone-dependent and hormone-produc- ing cell lines derived from tumors or organs. A detailed analysis of estrogen-dependent cell lines is presented by Leland, lio and Sirbasku, together with a discussion of the role of hormones in tumor growth and of the possible mechanism for regulating the transition of tumors from hormone dependency to autonomous growth. Growth hormone and prolactin producing cells derived from the rat pituitary gland are described by Bankroft. An excellent description of studies with the now classic Yl adrenocortical tumor cell line is provided by Schimmer. This chapter is the best ap- proximation of what one would like to see in this kind of book. The emphasis is placed on studies that would be difficult or impossible without cloned cell lines (somatic cell genetic and metabolic approaches).
The description of the Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line as a model of transepithelial transport is a good example of the precise physiological studies one can perform using in vitro cultures.
The second half of the book essentially concerns cell lines that were used to study various aspects of differentiation. Glial and neuronal cell lines, teratocar- cinema-derived cell lines, myeloma-derived cell lines and erythroleukemia cell lines are all discussed in considerable detail. In addition to description of the isolation and growth properties of the cell lines, the accent is usually on attempts to elucidate various differentiation pathways and mechanisms regulating differentiation.
The book would have benefited from a firmer edi- torial input to ensure that each chapter cover the main points stressed in the introduction. As it stands, the chapters vary in character from straight reviews to research papers. Some subjects are presented in a very practical way, describing methodology and tech- nical pitfalls; it is unfortunate that not all of the authors used this approach. The ephemeral nature of any book of this type is the perennial complaint of the reader (the last references are from early 1981); up- dating galley proofs or using faster printing techniques might have at least diminished this problem. A less expensive book might have also resulted from the latter approach.
The most serious criticism is related to the depth in which the different topics are covered. It is true that the book was prepared at the time when our knowl- edge of this field was rapidly expanding; however, one would like considerably more material on, for example, the mechanism of action of different growth factors. In addition, some of the chapters are extremely de- tailed, while others (most notably that on lymphocytes and hybridoma cell lines) are rather superficial and hurried. It was probably difficult to decide which of the numerous functionally differentiated cell lines deserve mention, but in my opinion, human hepatoma cell lines, which retain many liver cell functions and will be extensively used, deserved inclusion (Knowles et al., Science 209, 497-499, 1980). A chapter on the role of extracellular matrix in maintaining differentiated cells in vitro would also be most welcome (Gospoda- rowicz et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 77, 4094- 4098).
Many researchers entering this field will find this book useful; however, with a little more effort on the part of the authors and editor, they might have found it indispensable.
Davor Solter The Wistar Institute Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
Theology of the Cell Cycle
The Cell Cycle. Society for Experimental Biology. Seminar Series, 10. Edited by P. C. L. John. New York: Cambridge University Press. (1981). 276 pp. $47.50-cloth; $18.95-paper.
The intention of this book is to show how research has altered our perspective of the cell cycle since the
