title: Epidermal growth factor inhibits growth of A431 human epidermoid carcinoma in serum-free cell culture.
abstract: A medium consisting of a rich basal nutrient mixture supplemented with bovine insulin (10 micrograms/ml), human transferrin (10 micrograms/ml), human cold-insoluble globulin (5 micrograms/ml), and ethanolamine (0.5 mM) supported the growth of the A431 human epidermoid cell line in the absence of serum with a generation time equal to that of cells in serum-containing medium. Addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to this culture medium at concentration mitogenic for other cell types resulted in a marked inhibition of A431 cell growth. Inhibitory effects of EGF were observed at 1 ng/ml and near-maximal effects were observed at 10 ng/ml. The inhibitory effect of EGF could be reversed by the omission of EGF in subsequent medium changes and could be prevented by the addition of anti-EGF antibody to the culture medium. Inhibition of A431 cell growth by EGF also could be demonstrated in serum-containing medium.
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D003470:Culture Media; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007700:Kinetics; D014168:Transferrin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D007328:Insulin; D014168:Transferrin; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor