Cell Engineering Division -CELL BANK-

December, 2011

We regret to inform you that PC-14 (RCB0446) which we previously provided to you is found now to be a misidentified cell line since its deposition to our cell bank.

PC-14 (RCB0446) was originally deposited to our cell bank as a cell line derived from human lung adenocarcinoma (undifferentiated type) in 1989 and has been distributed since then. We have recently noticed that PC-14 was also provided from a company in Japan, Immuno-Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd. (IBL). IBL has been providing a series of PC cells, PC-1, -3, -6, -7, -9, -10, -13, -14, which were derived from different lung cancer patients. The record showed that we received PC-14 from a scientist who obtained it from the developer. We accepted deposition of PC-14 alone, while IBL received all of PC cell lines described above directly from the developer. To examine the identification, we performed a short tandem repeat polymorphism analysis (see reference) in collaboration with IBL.

The results showed that PC-14 (RCB0446) was not identical to PC-14 (IBL) but was most likely to be identical to PC-9 (IBL), a cell line derived from human lung adenocarcinoma (differentiated type). Examination of the frozen cells cultured and preserved immediately after the deposition to our cell bank indicated that the misidentification of PC-14 (RCB0446) occurred already before the deposition to our cell bank.

Please do not use PC-14 (RCB0446) any more as a cell line derived from undifferentiatedlung adenocarcinoma. It is now highly likely that PC-14 (RCB0446) was derived fromdifferentiated lung adenocarcinoma. We recognize that this misidentification may cause some trouble to you and hope that the trouble is minimum. Although IBL is not providing their cell lines to foreign countries, we may be able to negotiate with IBL if you want to use some PC cell lines.

A newly developed technology sometimes reveals mistake, mishandling, or misidentification that has occurred in the past and results in painful outcomes. Although the outcomes may be as painful as could be, we believe it is a necessary process for proper development of sciences. We are currently performing rigorous quality control of cell lines to serve better to the scientific community. We appreciate you for your understanding and support to our activities.

If you have any question or inquiry on this matter, please feel free to contact us.

With best regards.

Reference:
Masters JR, Thomson JA, Daly-Burns B et al. Short tandem repeat profiling provides an international reference standard for human cell lines. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2001; 98: 8012-8017.