Serial culture of adult human prostatic epithelial cells

Summary Techniques for the isolation, establishment, and subculture of normal, benign hyperplastic and malignant epithelial cell cultures from adult human prostates are described. Acini are released from tissues by collagenase digestion, and primary and subcultures are grown in collagen-coated dishes containing medium PFMR-4A supplemented with 1% serum and additional factors. Growth assays can be performed in serum-free medium. Verification of the cultures as prostatic epithelial cells is accomplished by indirect immunofluorescence detection of keratin, prostate-specific antigen, and prostatic acid phosphatase.