Embryonic chicken lens cells cultured in reconstituted basement membrane: an experimental model to maintain the epithelial phenotype in culture.

The action of a reconstituted basement membrane has been studied on primary cultures of embryonic lens cells. When a solution of this matrix (Matrigel) was included in the culture medium, a high percentage of cells maintained the epithelial phenotype, judged by electron microscopy criteria, in contrast to the differentiated state induced by serum. Complete matrix stimulated by 6-fold the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into the cells, while one of its defined components, laminin, only had a 2-fold stimulatory effect. Thus, the basement membrane may stimulate mitogenesis and play a role complementary to that of growth factors in development.