On the suitability of organotypic cultures of fetal rat lung type II cells for biochemical studies concerning development

摘要: Abstract When organotypic cultures of fetal rat lung epithelial cells are initiated with undifferentiated cells, the differentiate into type II (Douglas W.H.J., McAteer J.A., Smith J.R. and Braunschweiger W.R. (1979) Int. Rev. Cytol., Suppl. 10, 45–65). This conclusion was based only on morphologic studies. The present study undertaken to investigate whether such maturation in culture could also be demonstrated biochemically. In from lungs at 17-days gestation, amount phospholipids increased for least 10 days. However, no change took place percentage phosphatidylglycerol nor ratio disaturated total phosphatidylcholine. obtained day 17 gestation specific activity cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase reached a maximum after approximately 3 days, followed by decrease. A similar profile obtained, however, if started 20 gestation. indicates that profiles reflect changes caused conditions rather than maturation. From these investigations it is concluded biochemical studies cell development using as model should interpreted caution.