Culture and Transfection of Human Choriocarcinoma Cells

In vitro models for human trophoblasts were initially established more than three decades ago from isolated choriocarcinomas. They have proven to be extremely valuable for the study of the cellular, molecular, and endocrine aspects of human trophoblasts. This chapter describes basic methods for culture and maintenance of the Jeg-3, Jar, and BeWo human choriocarcinoma cell lines as well as an effective paradigm for introducing DNA into the cells.