Foetal calf serum and dexamethasone effects on Vero cell growth and differentiation

Vero cells were cultured without foetal calf serum (FCS), with 10% FCS, 10% FCS plus dexamethasone (DEX) or 20% FCS for 48, 120 or 240 h. The cells were analysed by a growth curve, cytochemical and immunocytochemical (anti-cellular fibronectin or anti-collagen IV) methods. In 48 h Vero cells produced fibronectin and collagen IV. All samples showed basophilic cytoplasm indicating high protein synthesis. The growth of metachromatic multicellular masses was induced by DEX. The Vero cells produced collagen IV with 10 and 20% FCS, and also cells which did not have this activity (without FCS or with 10% FCS + DEX). The multicellular masses induced by DEX were rich in fibronectin. DEX induced differentiation and the expression of collagen IV and fibronectin in Vero cells. This work was carried out to evaluate the possible therapeutic effects of glucocorticoids as inducers of cell differentiation.