Proteins secreted by Caco-2 cells support growth of other tumor cells in Chee's Essential Medium without supplements

The growth promoting effect of several hormones and growth factors on two human colon tumor cell lines (Caco-2 and SW 48) was studied using six different chemically defined serum-free media (SFM). Caco-2 grew in a simple SFM [GF3: Chee's Essential Medium (CEM) plus insulin, transferrin and selenium], whereas, SW 48 cells did not grow in GF3 medium. This suggested that Caco-2 cells probably secrete proteins in SFM which influence attachment and growth of Caco-2 and other tumor cells. Lyophilized Caco-2 conditioned medium and substratum, when added to plain CEM, supported growth of SW 48 and SW 948 cells. The substratum material was more effective than conditioned medium in promoting growth of the cell lines. The substratum material helps attachment and spreading of the cells and, thus, improves growth of the cells over conditioned medium. Caco-2 conditioned medium and substratum were analyzed for their components using SDS-PAGE system and gel filtration chromatography. The substratum was analyzed for the presence of fibronectin and laminin by the ELISA technique. The conditioned medium does not contain TGF alpha and TGF beta. The growth stimulating activity of the conditioned medium is due to a protein component, approximately 58Kd in size.