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Effects of acidified fetal bovine serum on the fibrinolytic activity and growth of cells in culture
Author(s) -
Loskutoff David J.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.1040960312
Subject(s) - fetal bovine serum , rous sarcoma virus , cell culture , fetuin , protamine sulfate , chemistry , bovine serum albumin , tissue culture , biochemistry , fetus , hamster , baby hamster kidney cell , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , cell , in vitro , heparin , pregnancy , protamine , genetics , glycoprotein , gene
The fibrinolytic activity of cells in culture varied with the type of serum employed in the growth medium. Degradation of iodinated fibrin occurred slowly when Rous sarcoma virus‐transformed chick embryo fibroblasts were grown in medium containing fetal bovine serum (FBS), and rapidly when chicken serum was employed. This difference reflected the low plasminogen and high inhibitor content of FBS. The inhibitors were found to be serum macromolecules that were precipitated with ammonium sulfate or polyethylene glycol, and were inactivated by boiling or upon exposure to acidic conditions. No inhibitor activity was detected in fetuin, one of the major proteins present in FBS. Acidified FBS was similar to chicken serum in that both supported high rates of cell‐mediated fibrinolytic activity. Although virally transformed hamster, mouse and chicken cells grew well in acid‐treated FBS, their normal counter‐parts did not. Apparently, acidification resulted in the formation of materials that were toxic to normal cells. These agents rapidly blocked cellular DNA synthesis.