Stem cells derived from midguts of the caterpillar, Spodoptera littoralis, can be induced to multiply and differentiate in vitro. Ecdysone (E) and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) had a concentration-dependent effect: E was more active in cell proliferation and 20E in differentiation. Ecdysteroid receptors in midgut stem cell nuclei were stained with the antibody 9B9. In addition, alpha-arylphorin and four midgut differentiation factors (MDF) specifically stimulated proliferation and differentiation of stem cells, respectively. The activity of a panel of peptide growth factors and hormones on growth and metamorphosis of the insect midgut is discussed.
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