THE POSSIBILITY OF 3 TYPES OF CELLS IN CULTURED GLOMERULI INVITRO

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 100  (3) , 779-789
Abstract
Although 3 types of cells exist in glomeruli in vivo, it is not clear whether the same is true of glomerular cells in vitro. The outgrowth from the cultured [rat] glomeruli was continuously monitored with time-lapse cinemicroscopy until the glomerular tissues completely disappeared. The results clearly indicated that only 2 types of cells arise from the glomeruli in vitro, epithelial (E cell) and fibroblastic (M cell). A cell line of M cells was established that showed relatively constant morphologic characteristics as compared with the M cells in primary cultures. Morphologic evidence was obtained indicating that M cells produce [glomerular basement membrane] (GBM)-like materials and collagen fibers with clearly visible periodicity.