Characteristics of epithelial cella cultured from feline lung.

Cell cultures were initiated by trypsinization of lung tissues obtained from 55-day-old fetuses of Felis catus. After a period of cultivation, the cells were cloned and several clones with an epithelial morphology were established. On electron microscopy, at least four of the clones contained intracytoplasmic lamellar inclusion bodies typical in appearance to those observed in type II alveolar cell in situ. These clones should be invaluable for the study of the biosynthesis of long surfactant.