Cytogenomic Characterization of Murine Osteosarcoma Cell Line SEWA.

Introduction: The SEWA cell line, which is derived from a virus-induced murine osteosarcoma (OS) ascites, was established in the 1980s from a serially transplanted male-derived tumor that was first published in 1961. It has been applied in about 50 studies but was never genetically characterized in detail; this study fills that gap.

Methods: The SEWA cell line was analyzed for its chromosomal constitution using molecular cytogenetic approaches. Array comparative genomic hybridization was performed to characterize copy number alterations.

Results: SEWA has a near-diploid karyotype without Y-chromosome material. The complex karyotype includes neocentrics and simple and complex rearrangements. Amplification of MYC oncogene was detected in two homogeneously staining regions on two different derivative chromosomes.

Conclusion: An in silico translation of the obtained results to the human genome indicated that SEWA is suitable as a model for advanced human OS.