Both human and newborn rabbit lens epithelial cells exhibit similar limited growth properties in tissue culture.

Human lens cells from 5-91-year old individuals were cultured in 8 different basal media containing fetal bovine, adult bovine, rabbit or human serum or human plasma or in a serum-containing medium supplemented with insulin, epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor plus other hormones or trace elements. Cultures were initiated from explants of the capsule and epithelium or following enzymatic dissociation of cells from the capsule. Under all conditions the epithelial cells had a limited doubling potential. As a function of time in culture, cells enlarged, displayed numerous filaments and exhibited apparent in vitro senescence. Lens epithelia from 4-6 day old rabbits cultured under identical conditions mimicked the behavior of human lens cells. Lens epithelia from newborn rabbits may be a suitable model for investigating the basis of apparent in vitro senescence in this cell type and could help in defining the conditions required for the long-term growth of human lens cells. The limited growth of human lens epithelia suggests that these cells require tissue-specific nutrients or hormonal supplements not present in standard tissue culture media.