EFFECTS OF INCREASED PARTIAL PRESSURES OF OXYGEN, NITROGEN AND HELIUM ON CELLS IN CULTURE

The effects of gas-phase oxygen, nitrogen and helium at superatmospheric as well as at atmospheric partial pressures have been studied, using both normal and malignant cells. The ability of certain types of cells in monolayer cultures to proliferate when exposed to high or low oxygen tensions, and to recover when cultured further under more optimal conditions, has been assessed. The presence of an inert gas at high partial pressure permits survival of various types of cells in culture at much higher oxygen tensions than would otherwise be possible. A tentative explanation for this phenomenon is provided and its significance discussed.