A novel growth factor in rat spleen which promotes proliferation of hepatocytes in primary culture.

We have identified a factor from adult rat spleen which stimulates the proliferation of rat hepatocytes. The activity was found in the spleen soluble matrix fraction (1,300xg supernatant of inter-cellular fraction). No activity was found in the spleen cell homogenate, in the spleen insoluble matrix fraction or rat serum. After 4 days of incubation with the spleen factor, the cell number increased 4-fold higher than that at inoculation. The growth stimulation were observed in both fetal bovine serum supplemented medium and hormonally defined medium which contains insulin, epidermal growth factor, glucagon, growth hormone and prolactin. The level of activity in the spleen soluble matrix was not affected by partial hepatectomy or trypsinization. These data indicate that the spleen factor is different from previously characterized effectors of hepatocyte proliferation. The novel factor has been named spleen derived growth factor (SDGF).