Ascorbic acid: a culture requirement for colony formation by mouse plasmacytoma cells

Plasmacytoma stem cells explanted from mice formed colonies in culture only in the presence of L-ascorbic acid; this vitamin was not needed for the formation of granulocytic colonies. Isomers of L-ascorbic acid with less antiscorbutic activity also promoted plasmacytoma colony formation, but less effectively. Other redox compounds without antiscorbutic activity and an antioxidant were ineffective.