An Outgrowth Culture System of Normal Human Epithelium

Abstract

In order to study the growth regulation of normal human epithelium, we have developed an outgrowth culture system (1). Cinematographic observation has revealed that the cells migrate and proliferate in a coordinated manner. For example, an outgrowth will expand concentrically as a cell sheet, and the cell density will be consistent between different sized outgrowths (see Fig. 1). The increment in the radius of the outgrowth stays constant (about 1.5 mm/d) and is independent of the size of the explant or donor individuals. We can easily obtain 10⁸ cells per specimen in 3 wk. Because of its constant growth pattern, the growth history of the cultures can be easily traced, and comparable cultures can be used for further analyses (see Note 1).