Cell Culture

Vero cells (ATCC, CCL-81) as well as wild-type mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and STAT3 null derivatives were all maintained in Dulbecco’s modified minimum essential medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1% L-glutamine, and 1% penicillin/streptomycin. Human small airway epithelial cells (HSAECs) were acquired from Cambrex Inc., Walkersville, MD and maintained in Ham’s F12 medium supplemented with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS), 1% L-glutamine, 1% penicillin/streptomycin, 1% nonessential amino acids, 1% sodium pyruvate, 0.001% of 55 mM β-mercaptoethanol. All cell lines were maintained at 37°C with 5% CO₂.