What is the importance of karyotyping in established cell lines?
Answers
Once a cell has been established, its karyotype is determined. This will confirm the species of origin, at least for those cells karyotyped, and determine the extent of gross chromosomal changes in the line. Karyotypes may vary from being near normal tobeing aneuploid. While a normal karyotype is desirable, the presence of an abnormal karyotype is desirable, the presence of an abnormal karyotype does not preclude using the cells for in vitro studies, especially if it has been demonstrated that the cells retain the normal function expected of them.
If a normal karyotype is required e.g. to create transgenic animals, then special care is taken in handling the cells to minimize chromosomal changes. The stability of the karyotype depends on the species from which they are derived, the growth conditions used, the way in which the cells are subcultured, and whether or not the cells are frozen