Abstract
Several synthetic polymers (hydroxyethyl starch, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone) markedly improved the growth of three human lymphocyte cell lines [Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) 1348, 1788, and 8098]. Growth was stimulated when each of these polymers was added to RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with only 2% fetal bovine serum. Dextran T-40, T-70, and T-110 varied in their effect on the growth of these cell lines. Dextran T-250 and Haemaccel did not improve cell yields when partially substituted for the serum. The successful partial substitution of polymers for serum was specific for individual cell lines.