Telomere and telomerase in the initial stage of immortalization of esophageal epithelial cell

Figure 1 Morphologic changes in living cells of SHEE. A: Cell in 6-10th passages showed differential phenotype (phase-contrast microscopy, Ph × 400); B: Cells of 16th passage displayed apoptosis with a few of cells survived (Ph × 400); C: Cells of 20th passage displayed hyperplasia (Ph × 200); D: Cells of 30th passage displayed proliferative activity with diphasic differentiation (Ph × 400).

Figure 2 DNA histogram of SHEE cells. A: 10th passage; B: 16th passage; C: 20th passage; D: 30th passage. Apo: Apoptotic peak; AU. Arbitrary unite.

Figure 3 TUNEL positive apoptotic nuclei in 16th passage of SHEE. (× 400)

Figure 4 Electron-photomicrograph of apoptotic cells in 16th passage Shrunken cells and rounded nuclei with marginated condensed chromatin. (EM × 3000).

Figure 5 Telomere length of SHEE series using Southern blot. 1: Normal esophagus; 2: Cells of 10th passage; 3: Cells of 20th passage; 4: Cells of 30th passage;

Figure 6 Gel electrophoretogram of hTERT (A), hTR (B) and GAPDH (C). Lane 1: marker; Lane 2: 10th passage; Lane 3: 20th passage; Lane 4: 30th passage.

Figure 7 Measurements of telomerase activity using TRAP assay. Lane 1: 10th passage, negative; Lane 2: 20th passage, weak; Lane 3: 30th passage, positive; Lane 4: human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, strong positive;