Abstract: Fibroblast growth factors are used in vivo, in situ and in vitro to stimulate stem cells, hemopoiesis, the immune system, transplant donor cells, culture and/or engraftment, wherein the use of fibroblast growth factors is disclosed for the stimulation of stem cells or hemopoietic cells, supporting cells and their progeny, in vitro, in situ and in vivo, as well as corresponding engrafting sites in vivo.

Abstract: Human cell lines which proliferate in the absence of serum or of any macromolecular growth factors are produced by a three step procedure comprising removing serum containing culture medium from the culture of a human cell line which requires serum or macromolecular growth factors for growth, and replacing it with culture medium which is deprived of serum and of any macromolecular growth factors, feeding the adherent or non-adherent cells with serum and growth factor free culture medium using conventional cell culture conditions, culturing the cells until they propagate reproducibly and indefinitely in the absence of serum and of any macromolecular growth factors and a serum and growth factor independent cell line has been established. The novel cell lines can be used for the production of proteins, especially plasminogen activators.

Abstract: Human cell lines that proliferate in the absence of serum or of any macromolecular growth factors are produced by a process comprising removing serum containing culture medium from the culture of a human cell line that requires serum or macromolecular growth factors for growth, replacing the serum-containing culture medium with culture medium deprived of serum and of any macromolecular growth factors, feeding the adherent or non-adherent cells with serum-free and growth factor-free culture medium using conventional cell culture conditions, culturing the cells until they propagate reproducibly and indefinitely in the absence of serum and of any macromolecular growth factors and a serum and growth factor independent cell line has been established. The novel cell lines can be used for the production of biologically active compounds such as proteins, especially plasminogen activators.