title: Proliferation of glial-derived cells in defined media.
abstract: A serum-free defined medium has been formulated that supports proliferation and morphologic differentiation of U-251 MGsp human and C6-2BD rat glioma cells. This defined medium consists of a basal medium supplemented with transferrin, fibroblast growth factor, hydrocortisone, selenium, biotin, and fibronectin (G2 medium). When U-251 cells were plated in G2 medium on poly-D-lysine precoated dishes, their growth rate was 77% and final cell density was 82% of serum-grown counterparts. The growth rate of C6 cells in G2 medium was 67% compared to cells cultured in serum supplemented medium. Although G2 medium supported the growth of human and rat glioma cells, LA-N-1 human neuroblastoma and WI-38 human fibroblast cells showed no increase in cell number when grown in G2 medium compared to basal medium. A similar formulation (G3 medium), lacking fibroblast growth factor and hydrocortisone, supported the proliferation of RN-22 rat schwannoma cells. Morphologic differences were observed between cells grown in the presence of serum and in defined media. All three glial cell lines changed from a flattened shape in serum supplemented medium to a more spherical appearance in defined medium. In addition, both U-251 and C6 cells developed numerous processes, some reaching several cell diameters in length. These defined media will facilitate studies of the growth and differentiation of glial-derived cells.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D005910:Glioma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D007700:Kinetics; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012643:Selenium / Q000494:pharmacology; D014168:Transferrin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D008934:Mitogens; D010455:Peptides; D014168:Transferrin; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D012643:Selenium; D006854:Hydrocortisone