Increased yield of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) by cultivation of monolayer-derived mammary tumor cells in suspension.

The MJY-alpha epithelial-like mammary tumor cell line was adapted for cultivation in suspension using a shaker culture technique. Replication of suspension (MJY-beta) cells was more sensitive than monolayer cells to decreases in the concentration of serum in the medium. Comparison of amino acid incorporation and lactate production rates revealed additional differences between monolayer and suspension cultures. In addition, growth in suspension resulted in 10- to 400-fold increases in mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) production by the mammary tumor cells. Increases in MMTV yield were detected within 48 h of culture initiation and MMTV production remained elevated throughout 20 cell passages in suspension. Exposure of MJY-beta cells to 14 microM hydrocortisone further increased MMTV yield two- to five-fold. The MJY-beta suspension cultures demonstrated that these epithelial-like cells do not require attachment to a solid substrate for replication or for MMTV production. Loss of structural polarization associated with growth as a monolayer resulted in stimulation of MMTV production greater than and independent of steroid exposure.