The pancreatic epithelial cell in vitro: a possible model system for studies in carcinogenesis.

A technique is described for the isolation and maintenance in culture of pancreatic epithelial cells from human embryos or neonatal guinea pigs. Dissociated cells from human material were essentially uncharacterized. Those obtained from guinea pig pancreas were subjected to centrifugal fractionation, and the resulting populations consisted of up to 95% exocrine cells. Suspensions of dissociated cells were incubated with gyration for 16 to 18 hr, and cell aggregated that formed were placed in stationary culture. Two-dimensional colonial aggregates developed on the plastic substratum. Cells comprising such colonies formed junctional complexes and could be maintained for 20 to 40 days in vitro. This system may provide a useful model for studies on pancreatic exocrine cell physiology and carcinogenesis.