Growth-promoting effect of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate on cultured normal human fetal kidney epithelial cells.

Normal human epithelial cells have been reported to be sensitive to growth inhibition by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in contrast to neoplastic counterparts. Our studies with normal human fetal kidney epithelial cells, however, show that 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate may increase cell density and promote the growth of these cells at early passages. The result, together with three previous reports showing similar effects in normal human melanocytes, prostatic epithelial cells, and an unidentified cell type in human epidermal cell culture, indicates that human cells may exhibit divergent responses to 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate for induction of cellular differentiation or proliferation.