Hormone-secreting cells maintained in long-term culture

Abstract

Methods are provided for the establishment and maintenance in long term culture of hormone secreting cells. Cells are derived from animal or human tissues, including ovary, endometrium, trophoblast, pituitary, thyroid, and pancreas. Pancreatic cells are obtained by gently rupturing the basement lamina of a whole islet. The pancreatic cells that develop through the rupture in the basement lamina are cultured. The cells secrete into the culture medium various hormones depending on the tissue of origin of individual cell cultures. Contact with an appropriate secretogogue causes the cells to respond with increased hormone secretion. For instance, pancreatic cells respond to elevated glucose with increased insulin secretion. The cells proliferate in vitro for up to one year or longer, during which time they retain their hormone-secretion profile. The cells may be frozen for storage, and retain their hormone-secretion profile after thawing. The cell cultures are useful for the production of human hormones, for the bio-assay of drugs, for the testing of drug efficacy and design, and for toxicity testing of drugs and chemicals. The cells may also be implanted in an individual to replace deficient hormone secretion.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.