Generation of CHO Stable Cell Line Overexpressing HER2: an In Vitro Model for Breast Cancer

Background: Breast cancer is the most common female malignancy and the leading cause of cancer mortality in women worldwide. The human epidermal growth factor receptor2 (HER2) is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor that is usually overexpressed in human breast cancers. Stable cell lines heterogeneously overexpressing HER2 are highly required as in vitro models for breast cancer research. The aim of this study was to establish a stable cell line overexpressing HER2. Materials and Methods: CHO Cells were transfected with linearized pCVN/HER2 plasmid and selected for the recombinant cells with G418 antibiotic. Expression of HER2 in the transfected cells was analyzed using western blotting and immunofluorescence. Results: We found that the recombinant cells stably expressed high levels of HER2 proteins that were mostly concentrated on the cell membrane. Conclusions: The cell line established here provides a useful in vitro model for breast cancer research and any HER-related studies.