title: Cellular characteristics of long-term cultured rat parotid acinar cells.
abstract: We have successfully maintained and biochemically characterized differentiated rat parotid acinar cells cultured for long periods (6 mo.). The cells were cultured on a reconstituted basement membrane matrix in a medium containing a variety of agents that promote cellular proliferation and differentiation. The cultured cells retain the characteristics of the parental parotid acinar cells. They exhibit both secretory granules and abundant cellular organelles required for protein synthesis and secretion. In situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry demonstrate high levels of proline-rich protein mRNA and protein, and lower levels of amylase mRNA and protein, in their cytoplasm. These findings suggest that rat parotid acinar cells can be maintained in a differentiated state in vitro for long periods, and can serve as a useful model system for studying the regulation of exocrine secretory processes.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Investigations and Patient Care Branch, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Mertz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Baum
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Kousvelari
mesh_terms: D000681:Amylases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D005978:Glutathione / Q000494:pharmacology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D015388:Organelles / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055232:Proline-Rich Protein Domains; D011700:Putrescine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D020887:Selenious Acid; D012643:Selenium / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D010455:Peptides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D000681:Amylases; D020887:Selenious Acid; D005978:Glutathione; D012643:Selenium; D007545:Isoproterenol; D011700:Putrescine; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide