Long-term culture of human bone marrow cells.

A method has been described for the long-term culture of human bone marrow cells in liquid medium. Hematopoiesis, as measured by the production of granulocytic-macrophage progenitor cells (CFUc), continued for at least 20 weeks and was dependent upon the presence of a marrow-derived adherent layer of cells. As in the case of murine marrow liquid cultures, the adherent layer consisted of mononuclear phagocytic cells, endothelial cells, and lipid-laden adipocytes, the latter being essential for long-term hematopoiesis. Optimal growth conditions included McCoy's medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum, horse serum, and hydrocortisone and incubation at 33 degrees C. Horse serum in conjunction with hydrocortisone appeared essential for the growth of adipocytes.