The retention of differentiated properties by lens epithelial cells in clonal cell culture

A small number of cells of lens epithelium from newly hatched chickens were cultured at clonal density to investigate the retention of differentiated properties during cellular growth in vitro. Singly plated cells proliferated to produce colonies, at least some of which were considered to be true clones of single cell origin. The differentiation of lens fibers occurring in many colonies was identified through observations by electron microscopy as well as immunofluorescence utilizing specific antiserum against lens fibers. Primary or secondary mass cultures of cells of lens epithelium contained cells which produce differentiated colonies when cultured at clonal density. Colony-producing cells can be differentially dissociated from monolayers by EDTA treatment without using tyrpsin. For successful culture of cells of lens epithelium at clonal density, the use of conditioned medium is necessary.