In vitro models of human testicular germ-cell tumors

Murine teratocarcinoma models have been widely used in the study of several biological processes including early mammalian development and neoplasia. The relatively new human germ-cell tumor models have an important role in the study of human embryogenesis and neoplasia since human embryogenesis differs significantly from species such as mice and the histopathology of human testicular germ-cell tumors differs substantially from tumors obtained in highly inbred strains of mice. In this report we describe the use of human germ-cell lines in the study of cell differentiation; expression of early embryonic antigens; production of the major regulator of erythropoiesis, erythropoietin; and production of retrovirus-like particles.