Serum‐free mouse embryo cells: Growth responses in vitro

Abstract

We have derived serum-free mouse embryo (SFME) cultures in a basal nutrient medium supplemented with insulin, transferrin, epidermal growth factor (EGF), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and fibronectin. These cells are nontumorigenic, lack gross chromosomal aberrations, and exhibit several other unique properties, including dependence on EGF for survival and growth inhibition by serum. We have examined the concentration dependence of the growth stimulatory effects of protein supplements used in the SFME medium formulation and surveyed other supplements that might act as alternative or complementary additions to the culture medium. Insulin could be replaced by insulin-like growth factor I and EGF could be replaced by transforming growth factor alpha in the same concentration range. Transferrin could be replaced by higher concentrations of lactoferrin. Deterioration of cultures in the absence of EGF began within 8 hours of the removal of the growth factor, and could be prevented by the addition of fibroblast growth factor/heparin-binding growth factor. Attachment proteins other than fibronectin were effective on SFME cells, but limited success was obtained when substituting other lipid preparations for HDL. These data introduce a precise system for exploring the unusual characteristics of SFME cells and contribute additional information that may be useful in the extension of these approaches to other cell types and species.

Differentiation of Serum-Free Mouse Embryo Cells into an Astrocytic Lineage is Associated with the Asymmetric Production of Early Neural, Neuronal and Glial Markers

“…Consequently, they are nontransformed, behave as primary cultures, have a finite lifespan and display the characteristics of CNS progenitor cells. 30,31) Although a few molecular markers have been defined for SFME cells upon differentiation into astrocytes, the mechanisms underlying their specification into the astrocytic lineage are not understood. Further, the possibility of SFME cells being able to differentiate into cell lineages other than the astrocytic lineage has never been explored.…”

Isolation of Ursolic Acid from Apple Peels and Its Specific Efficacy as a Potent Antitumor Agent

“…TNF has been documented as a growth factor for some cell types, 31,32) and EGF is required for the survival, growth and proliferation of normal SFME cells. 24,25) However, tumorigenic r/m HM-SFME-1 cells are independent of EGF because they are capable of producing growth factors. 26) We hypothesized that the antiproliferative effect of UA on r/m HM-SFME-1 cells (Fig.…”

“…Consequently, they are non-transformed, behave as primary cultures, have a finite lifespan, and display the characteristics of central nervous system (CNS) progenitor cells. 24,25) SFME cells were co-transfected with human cHa-ras and mouse c-myc genes, and these cells were designated as ras/myc SFME cells. 26) Whereas SFME cells are non-tumorigenic in vivo and require epidermal growth factor (EGF) for their survival, growth and proliferation, 24,25) ras/myc SFME cells are tumorigenic without requiring any growth factors such as EGF.…”

“…24,25) SFME cells were co-transfected with human cHa-ras and mouse c-myc genes, and these cells were designated as ras/myc SFME cells. 26) Whereas SFME cells are non-tumorigenic in vivo and require epidermal growth factor (EGF) for their survival, growth and proliferation, 24,25) ras/myc SFME cells are tumorigenic without requiring any growth factors such as EGF. 26) Another line of SFME-derived tumorigenic cells is the highly metastatic (HM) ras/myc SFME (r/m HM-SFME-1) cells, which was established by selecting ras/myc SFME cells that only metastasize to the lungs of Balb/c mice.…”

Glycyrrhetinic Acid Induces Anoikis-Like Death and Cytoskeletal Disruption in the Central Nervous System Tumorigenic Cells

“…7) While SFME cells are non-tumorigenic in vivo, 5,6) ras/myc SFME cells are tumorigenic and do not require any growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor. 7) Another line of SFME-derived tumorigenic cells are highly metastatic ras/myc SFME-1 (r/m HM-SFME-1) cells, which were established by selecting ras/myc SFME cells that only metastasize to the lungs of Balb/c mice.…”