Ion exchange capacity of DEAE microcarriers determined the growth pattern of cells in culture.

Transformed embryonic avian and mammalian cells, as well as cells from established cell lines grow as a monolayer on DEAE-cellulose based microcarriers (MC): the DE-52 and DE-53 MC. Normal, non-transformed, embryonic avian and mammalian cells do not grow on DE-52 MC (having an exchange capacity of 1 meq/g dry material) but grow well on DE-53 MC (having an exchange capacity of 2 meq/g dry material). On DE-53 MC embryonic non-transformed cells grow in multilayers, while embryonic viral-transformed cells and cells from established cell lines grow in a monolayer form. Possible explanations for the differences in cell growth on various MC and variation in the mode of growth in monolayer vs multilayer are discussed. These differences may serve as a valuable tool for separation and distinction between normal and transformed cells. In addition, the described novel MC culturing system provides a support for tridimensional growth on which cell growth mimics the in vivo growth conditions. Therefore, this system is suitable for the study of cell recognition, cell to cell connection and cell orientation.