The metabolism of animal tissues cultivated in vitro. IV. Comparative studies on human malignant cells.

Abstract

Summary Changes in the amino acid content of synthetic tissue culture medium M 150, with and without a supplement of 5 per cent human serum, have been determined during cultivation of a variety of cell lines of human malignant origin. Strains employed were the HeLa cell and three lines of human leukemic origin, the J-96, J-111, and J-128. Characteristic patterns of change were found with each cell line tested, and these patterns appeared qualitatively similar whether or not the synthetic medium was supplemented with serum protein. The duration of these changes, however, was greatly extended by the presence of serum in the culture medium. All four cell strains of human malignant origin reduced the glutamine content of the medium, in contrast to freshly explanted normal tissues, studied previously, which increased the glutamine content of the culture fluids.