The effect of different agars, agaroses and methyl cellulose on the in vitro proliferation of a human urinary transitional cell carcinoma cell line

The effects of different agars (Bacto-agar and deoxycholate lactose agar), agaroses (LE, ME, Sea Plaque and Sea Prep 15/45) and methyl cellulose on the growth of a human tumor cell line, derived from a transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, were examined. The overall growth in the presence of agars and agarose was generally less than in liquid medium alone. In contrast, growth in the presence of methyl cellulose was significantly enhanced. Thus, methyl cellulose may be a useful agent for optimizing the proliferation of primary tissue cultures prepared from human transitional cell carcinomas.