OBJECTIVETo observe the special staining of cells cultured on nitrocellulose (NC) membrane and evaluate the application of the novel method for cell culture and pathological staining.

METHODSHuman colorectal carcinoma SW1116 cell line and SW480 cell line were cultured using nitrocellulose membrane as the culture matrix, with the same cells cultured on slides serving as the control.

RESULTSThe cells cultured on NC membrane appeared transparent with sharp edge and purple background by macroscopic observation, showing on obvious difference in terms of cell morphology and number from the cells cultured on glass slides. Irregular polygonal SW1116 cells and SW480 cells were found on the NC membrane, on which the cells grew in colony and showed blue nucleus and red cytoplasm.

CONCLUSIONSNC membrane produces no cytotoxicity and can be used for cell culture without affecting the normal cell morphology and number during cell culture, thus providing a new means for cell culture and pathological staining.