Growth and Differentiation of Human Nasal Epithelial Cells in Culture

Abstract

Ham's F12 medium supplemented with insulin (Ins), transferrin (Tf), epidermal growth factor (EGF), hydrocortisone (HC), T3, cholera toxin (CT), and bovine hypothalamus extract (BHE) was developed for in vitro growth of human nasal epithelial (HNE) cells. The HNE cells were dissociated from freshly excised nasal polyps or turbinates with protease. Colony-forming efficiency of primary HNE cells was approximately 5%. Growth studies showed Ins, BHE, and CT were essential for growth; HC, EGF, Tf, and T3 were also stimulatory for growth. The growth rate in this serum-free, hormone-supplemented medium was 24 h per population doubling. Up to 20 population doublings and 3 passages of dissociated HNE cells could be achieved. Addition of serum to this culture medium inhibited epithelial cell growth. Vitamin A had no apparent effect on cell growth but induced an alteration in the morphologic characteristics of the cell. The epithelial nature of cultured cells was confirmed by positive staining with antihuman keratin ...