Ascorbic Acid: A Culture Requirement for Colony Formation by Mouse Plasmacytoma Cells

Abstract
Plasmacytoma stem cells explanted from mice formed colonies in culture only in the presence of L-ascorbic acid; this vitamin was not needed for the formation of granulocytic colonies. Isomers of L-ascorbic acid with less antiscorbutic activity also promoted plasmacytoma colony formation, but less effectively. Other redox compounds without antiscorbutic activity and an antioxidant were ineffective.