Human monoblastoid cell line U-937 cultured in protein-free medium: immunophenotype, cytochemical and biochemical...

Human monoblastoid cell line U-937 was adapted to grow in protein-free (protein-free hybridoma--PFH) medium and cloned by limiting dilution. Resulting cell subline (U-937/PF) cultured in protein-free medium was characterized by immunological, cytochemical and biochemical techniques. There were no major differences in immunophenotype (determined by FACS analysis with monoclonal antibodies directed to HLA and CD antigens) and cytochemical markers between the U-937/PF cells cultured in protein-free cell culture medium and parental U-937 cell cultured in serum-supplemented medium. Maximal cell density was slightly decreased in protein-free culture as compared to the parental cell line in FCS-supplemented medium. Cell viability and cell DNA histograms (determined by propidium iodide cytofluorimetry) showed no major differences between parental U-937 and U-937/PF cells. Phorbol ester (TPA)-induction of differentiation-associated cell markers resulted in a proliferation arrest and accumulation of G0/G1 cells in both sublines. All-trans retinoic acid and, to a lesser extent, TPA-stimulated NBT reduction was higher in parental U-937 cells cultured in serum-supplemented medium as compared to U-937/PF cells. Quantitative differences in the expression and inducibility of some cytochemical markers (beta-glucuronidase, chloroacetate esterase) were found between both examined sublines. Described U-937/PF subline cultured in a protein-free cell culture medium (PFH) appeared as a potential tool for studies of in vitro inducing agents and serum components with differentiation promoting (or inhibiting) activities.