LONG-TERM HUMAN-BONE MARROW CULTURES

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  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 56  (1) , 118-124
Abstract
Prolonged in vitro growth of murine bone marrow has been achieved using a flask culture system. The adaption of this technique to the growth of human bone marrow is reported. In this system, committed granulocyte monocyte stem cells and late erythroid progenitors are maintained for 4-9 wk. Morphologically recognizable granulopoiesis occurs for 4-6 wk and erythropoiesis for 1.5-2.5 wk. Functional thymus lymphocytes are maintained for at least 5 wk. The adherent population is composed of macrophages, fibroblast-like cells and flat pavement-like cells. Fat-containing cells are not prominent. This culture system provides a means to study human hematopoietic cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro, as well as to examine interactions between stromal cells and hematopoietic and lymphoid progenitors.