Characterization of a SV40-transformed rheumatoid synovial fibroblast cell line which retains genotypic expression patterns: A model for evaluation of anti-arthritic agents

A chimeric Adenovirus-Simian Virus 40 (AdSV40) containing the large T antigen was used to transform rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts. A rheumatoid synovial fibroblast cell line was established by infection of primary rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial fibroblasts at Passage 10 with AdSV40 recombinants followed by selection in semisoft agarose cultures. The transformed cells grew anchor independent, exhibited continuous proliferation (>65 passages) in monolayer culture, and formed multiple visible foci.