Advantages and disadvantages of cell immortalization methods

Cell immortalization methodsAdvantagesDisadvantages
Transfection with viral oncogenes [33, 37]-Easy to use (high efficiency);
-No alteration of cellular gene profile;
-Maintained genome stability, and potential for differentiation.
It may lead to genome instability, changes in phenotypic and genetic characteristics of primary cells, and sometimes to oncogenicity.
Exogenous induction of hTERT [27, 38]Effective and widely used method.Similar to transfection with viral oncogenes.
Irradiated (inactivated) mouse fibroblasts [32]Prolonged expansion of primary cells.Cellular senescence after several passages.
Inhibition of ROCK [35]Cell protection from apoptosis, accelerated recovery after cryopreservation.Cellular senescence after several passages.

hTERT: human telomerase reverse transcriptase; ROCK: Rho-associated protein kinase