Changes in growth and morphology of human gliomas and fibroblasts cultured in D-valine medium

Human fibroblasts and cells cultured from a glioblastoma multiforme and and oligodendroglioma were grown in standard tissue culture medium and in a medium in which D-valine was substituted for L-valine (DVM). Growth of all three types of cells was inhibited in DVM. Morphological changes of cells cultured in DVM also occurred: many fibroblasts became stellate-shaped and the oligodendroglioma cells had fewer processes. These findings indicate that DVM can not be used to decrease fibroblastic contamination in cultures of human gliomas without altering the morphological and growth characteristics of the neoplastic cells.