Growth of kidney epithelial cells in hormone-supplemented, serum-free medium.

Madin Darby canine kidney cells can grow in synthetic medium supplemented with 5 factors--insulin, transferrin, prostaglandin E1, hydrocortisone and triiodothyronine--as a serum substitute. These 5 factors permit growth for one month in the absence of serum, and a growth rate equivalent to that observed in serum-supplemented medium. Dibutyryl cAMP substitutes for prostaglandin E1 in the medium, suggesting that increased growth of Maden Darby canine kidney cells results from increased intracellular cAMP. Potential applications of the serum-free medium are discussed. The medium permits the selective growth of primary epithelial cell cultures in teh absence of fibroblast overgrowth, and a defined analysis of the mechanisms by which hormones regulate hemicyst formation.