Abstract: Objective  To establish an immortalized human parathyroid cell line and to identify its functions.  Methods  SV40 (Simian vacuolating virus 40, SV40) large antigen was introduced into the parathyroid cells by lentivirus infection, and the transfected cells were screened by puromycin. The expressions of parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium sensitive receptor (CaSR) and glial cells missing homolog 2, (GCM2) mRNAs and proteins in the parathyroid cells were detected by cell morphology, RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence. The reactivity of transfected cells to Ca2+ was detected by cell proliferation assay.  Results  Most of the transfected parathyroid cells were fusiform, with oval nuclei and transparent cytoplasm. RT-qPCR showed that the parathyroid cells expressed CaSR, GCM2 and PTH mRNAs. Immunofluorescence showed that the immortalized parathyroid cell line expressed parathyroid associated proteins of CaSR, GCM2 and PTH. Cell proliferation experiments showed that low calcium could promote the proliferation of parathyroid cells.  Conclusion  An immortalized parathyroid cell line was successfully established in this study, which provides an experimental basis for further exploring the pathogenesis and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Key words: Secondary hyperparathyroidism, Parathyroid cell, Immortalized