The prophylactic use of antibiotics in cell culture

Abstract

This article describes the historical development of the prophylactic use of antibiotics in cell culture as well as their effects on cells. The influence of antibiotics on cell morphology, cellular degeneration and cell death and cellular function is summarized. Cellular DNA as well as protein synthesis are affected which can lead to interference with, or even changes in, metabolic processes. Such effects must be considered in cell culture research. As antibiotics are used in multifold ways, the otherwise standardized conditions in cell culture are no longer comparable. The prophylactic use of antibiotics is rejected for scientific reasons.

Preliminary characterization of jejunocyte and colonocyte cell lines isolated by enzymatic digestion from adult and young cattle

“…Finally, as E-cadherin activity is also affected by Cdx homoedomain transcription factors (Cdx1 and Cdx2) (Domon-Dell et al, 2002;Qualtrough et al, 2002;Keller et al, 2004), a strategy leading to an increased expression of those factors in transformed bovine enterocytes should contribute to their differentiation in vitro. Further studies would also need to include the characterization of cell cultures without antibiotics, as these substances are know to sometimes affect significantly the growth, the morphology and the functions of cell cultures (Kuhlmann, 1996).…”

Optimization of chemically defined cell culture media – Replacing fetal bovine serum in mammalian in vitro methods

“…Wherever possible, the use of antibiotics should be avoided (Kuhlmann, 1996). Antibiotic-resistant microorganism may develop, and antibiotics may also have adverse effects on cell growth and function.…”

Basic Techniques and Limitations in Establishing Cell Culture: a Mini Review

“…However, the antibiotics chosen should not to be toxic to the cells in culture and their application and concentration may be decided depending on the type of contamination experienced in the individual laboratory (Lelong-Rebel et al, 2009). But higher doses of antibiotics could alter the phenotype or genotype of the cells and their prolonged use often cause negative impact on cultured cells affecting the cellular DNA as well as protein synthesis process which in turn interfere with cell metabolic processes (Kuhlmann, 1995;Toullec, 1999) …”