difference between transformed and immortalized cells - (Dec/01/2008 )

hi guys,
I wander if you could tell me the exact differences between transformed and immortalized cell lines.
Thanks a lot.
yiruz

Transformed cells are cancerous cells, so cells that possess all six hallmarks of cancerous cells :

1- Growth factor independency
2- No response to growth inhibitors
3- Evasion of apoptosis
4- Can promote angiogenesis
5- Unlimited proliferation
6- Invasive

Immortalized cells are not yet cancerous, but have sufficient mutations to be able to be passaged forever, unlike non-transformed, non-immortalized cells, whitch all have a finite passage number.

Hope this helps.

immortalised cells are are also more like the primary cells in terms of differentiation

transformed cells retain alot less of the cells otiginal characterisitics for the reasons outlined by madrius

so if you are planning on working with one it is probably best to work with an immortalised rather than transformed