Growth and differentiation of adult Mongolian gerbil epidermal cells in culture.

A simple protocol for the growth and differentiation of adult Mongolian gerbil epidermal cells is reported. Insulin (8 micrograms/ml) and reduced levels of serum supplementation (2%) were sufficient for the maintenance of these cells in culture. Primary cultures were maintained as a proliferative monolayer in a medium with low calcium concentration (< 0.3 mM). Terminal differentiation of cultures was induced by raising the calcium concentration (1.6 mM) in the medium. These results support the concept derived from mouse epidermal cell culture that calcium is an important regulator of mammalian epidermal cell growth and differentiation. The present protocol also represents a useful tool for studies of mechanisms involved in epidermal cell growth and differentiation in a laboratory animal.