Calcium regulation of normal human mammary epithelial cell growth in culture

The concentration of Ca++ in culture media profoundly affected the growth and differentiation properties of normal human mammary epithelial cells in short-term culture. In media where Ca++ was above 0.06 mM, longevity was limited to an average of three to four cell divisions. The extended growth fraction (those cells able, to divide more than once) was only approximately 50% and diminished to zero quickly with time. Stationary cells inhibited from dividing appeared differentiated in the formation of lipid vacuoles and accumulation of α-lactalbumin. Growth of stationary cultures could be reinstituted in about half the cells, either by disruption and transfer or by a reduction in Ca++ to less than 0.08 mM.