Mitogen-induced lymphocyte transformation in four different serum-free media.

The proliferative responses of lymphocytes induced by the mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and concanavalin A (ConA) were tested in four different serum-free lymphocyte culture media in which serum was replaced by commercially produced serum substitutes. Two of the serum-free lymphocytes cultures (SF-X and FEB-100) achieved proliferative responses to PHA and PWM comparable with those obtained in medium containing fetal calf serum, but only when the cell number was increased, whereas none of the lymphocyte cultures in serum-free medium showed adequate proliferative responses to ConA stimulation. The essential factors in serum-free media for optimal growth and mitogen stimulation of lymphocytes include insulin, transferrin, electrolytes, glutamine and a high cell concentration.