Effects of human recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on the proliferative potential of human keratinocytes cultured in serum-free medium.

ABSTRACT

The effects of human recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on human keratinocytes cultured in a serum-free medium were investigated. TNF-alpha markedly suppressed cell growth. The growth-inhibitory effect was reversible and cytostatic at a concentration of 1-5 U/ml, but appeared to be irreversible and cytocidal at 10 U/ml. The growth suppressive effect was more marked when TNF-alpha was added in the late growth phase or preconfluent phase than when it was added in early or mid-growth phases. No effects of TNF-alpha on cell adhesion to the substrate were observed. These results indicate that TNF-alpha is a very potent anti-proliferative agent for human keratinocytes.