ON THE FUNCTIONS OF X-IRRADIATED “FEEDER” CELLS IN SUPPORTING GROWTH OF SINGLE MAMMALIAN CELLS

Abstract

Model studies des-ignated to elucidate how a feeder layer of X-irradiated, non-reproducing cells can promote colonial growth of single mammalian cells in an otherwise incompetent medium reveal 2 ways in which feeder cells can function. They can relieve a specific nutritional deficiency of the medium, and they can neutralize the toxic action of specific cell anti- bodies. The use of feeder systems as tools for the study of various aspects of mammalian cell behavior is discussed.