Isolation and monolayer culture of human fallopian tube epithelial cells.

In the present study we have established a pure monolayer culture system of human fallopian tube epithelial cells. The cells were isolated using collagenase digestion, and were cultured in Medium 199 supplemented with 15% fetal bovine serum. The epithelial cells derived from primary and secondary culture were characterized using immunocytochemical staining and electron microscopy. The cells continued to grow for 2 to 3 wk once the monolayer culture of the cells was established. It is currently possible to maintain the cultures until the third generation. Proliferation of these cells was enhanced by epidermal growth factor but not by basic-fibroblast growth factor, insulin, transferrin, estradiol-17 beta, or progesterone. This culture system offers a good model for determining characteristics of the tubal epithelium and would permit effective study of co-culture with embryos.