Host Factors in Cell Culture: Further Studies on the Growth-Controlling Action of Fresh Human Serum2

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Abstract
This study confirms and further elucidates the previous observation that permanent differences exist between fresh human serums in their growth-controlling capacity. In fresh human serum, there were factors which prevented cells in cell culture from growing in a loose migratory structure. These factors caused cell clumping and reduced cell viability. The nuclear size of cells growing in a clumping serum was smaller, and there were fewer cells with high chromosome counts. Serums which caused strong clumping of cells in cell culture were relatively rare. No connection with blood groups was observed. Since cell growth in vitro differs markedly in fresh serums obtained from different persons, the possibility is discussed that the growth of cells—and cancer cells—could also in vivo be different in these persons. Preliminary observations indicated that these factors could be connected with low-density proteins.