In vitro proliferation and lifespan of human diploid fibroblasts in serum-free BSA-containing medium.

We have developed two serum-free chemically defined media (RITC 78-6 and RITC 80-7) that support the growth in culture of human diploid fibroblasts to the same extent as Eagle's basal medium (BME) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). These two media contain modified Eagle's minimum essential medium (MEM) supplemented with nonessential amino acids, various trace metals, organic compounds and growth factors [insulin, mouse epidermal growth factor (m-EGF), transferrin and triiodothyronine (T3)]. RITC 80-7 medium differs from RITC 78-6 in that it contains thymidine, hypoxanthine, and vitamin B12 and supports the long-term serial cultivation of human diploid cultures. The addition of commercial bovine serum albumin (BSA, 5 g/liter) to the medium enhances cell growth. This effect is not observed if BSA is first delipidized, but reconstitution of BSA with certain lipids restores its ability to promote growth. BSA has an inhibitory effect on cellular attachment but this is overcome when fibronectin (FN, 10 mg/liter is added to the medium.