Phenotypic heterogeneity in the NCI-H125 cell line affects biological activity using the epidermal growth factor receptor as target.

We evaluated the influence of some morphological changes of the NCI-H125 cell line in surface expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and their impact on some biological activity assays using this molecule as target. Hematoxylin and eosin (H/E) staining, light microscopy immunocytochemistry, flow cytometric antibody-receptor binding test, cell viability determination and cell cycle analysis were performed. Phenotypic changes and inconsistency in EGFR expression were detected in NCI-H125 cell cultures.