Proliferation of lacrimal gland acinar cells in primary culture. Stimulation by extracellular matrix, EGF, and DHT

The study of lacrimal dysfunction and insufficiency, a major cause of dry e ye, has been hampered by the inability to induce the proliferation of prima ry lacrimal acinar cells in vitro. Particularly in light of observations th at androgens are able to support the overall size and functional status of the lacrimal glands as well as certain specific lacrimal functions, an in v itro culture system that is permissive for cell proliferation would be most beneficial to study the molecular basis for these processes. Here, we repo rt on the successful establishment of such a system. Using a culture system containing Hepato Stim Medium(R) and Matrigel(R), we were able to induce t he efficient proliferation of primary rabbit lacrimal gland acinar cells wi th epidermal growth factor (EGF) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The generat ion of this in vitro cell culture system should greatly facilitate study of the regulation of acinar cell function at the molecular and cellular level s. (C) 2000 Academic Press.