Growth Characteristics of Human First Trimester Decidual Cells Cultured in Serum-Free Medium: Production of Prolactin, Prostaglandins and Fibronectin1

A procedure for the establishment of pure human first trimester decidual cells in primary cultures has been developed. The high rate of success in obtaining such cultures resulted from the elimination of fibroblasts by appropriate enzyme dissociation and filtration of the initial tissue sample, and subsequent maintenance of the cells in a serum-free medium supplemented with insulin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), estradiol, progesterone, hydrocortisone, transferrin and sodium selenite. Under these culture conditions, we obtained pure and actively dividing decidual cells forming tightly packed and nonoverlapping epithelioid cell monolayers covering more than 75% of the culture area. The cultured decidual cells retained their in vivo capacity to produce prolactin and various prostaglandins (PGs), primarily PGE2. There was a marked reduction in hormone production after 20 days in culture. A massive network of fibrillar surface fibronectin was detected by indirect immunofluorescence staining of the cultured cells. The production of prolactin and PGs together with the secretion of fibronectin may play a role in the implantation and subsequent growth of the embryo. The described procedure of obtaining fibroblast-free decidual cell monolayers will promote studies on the hormonal regulation of this tissue at the time of early intrauterine life.