The development of a liquid culture system for the growth of human bone marrow

A variety of growth conditions for human bone marrow in a liquid culture system are described. The development of an adherent layer of bone marrow stromal cells composed of endothelial cells, fibroblasts, phagocytic mononuclear cells and fat cells is essential for the maintenance of haemopoiesis. Adipocyte development and maintenance is hydrocortisone-dependent, but their role in haemopoiesis is undefined. Maintenance of GM-CFC and limited cellular differentiation occurs for 6–8 weeks in some cultures, with a predominant myeloid morphology for at least 5–6 weeks. There are a number of similarities to the murine system, but the growth conditions for human marrow are suboptimal.