StemPro™ Chondrogenesis Differentiation Kit - FAQs

How many times can I freeze/thaw the StemPro Chondrogenesis Supplement (Cat. No. A1006401) from the StemPro Chondrogenesis Differentiation Kit (Cat. No. A1007101)?

We do not recommend that you freeze/thaw the StemPro Chondrogenesis Supplement (Cat. No. A10064-01) from the StemPro Chondrogenesis Differentiation Kit (Cat. No. A1007101). Addition of supplement to the StemPro Osteocyte/Chondrocyte Differentiation Basal Medium (Cat. No. A1006901) is stable at 2-8 degrees C for up to 1 month, protected from light.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Cell Culture Support Center.

What mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) sources can I use with the StemPro Chondrogenesis Differentiation Kit (Cat. No. A1007101)?

The StemPro Chondrogenesis Differentiation Kit (Cat. No. A1007101) was designed and tested using human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC). Based on protocols in literature, it should also work with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from other sources, including umbilical cord and cord blood.

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The StemPro Chondrogenesis Differentiation Kit manual refers to MSC Attachment Medium under Chondrogenesis Differentiation, Step 7. Is MSC Attachment Medium the same as MSC growth medium?

Yes, MSC Attachment Medium is the same as MSC growth medium.

What kinds of growth factors are used in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) research?

Growth factors used for MSC maintenance and self-renewal: LIF, FGF-basic, EGF, HGF, PDGF, and Wnt3.

Growth factors or cytokines for MSC differentiation: BMP-2and TGF-β1.

(Arthritis Res Ther 9:204 (2007)

View our Gibco™ MSC research products.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Cell Culture Support Center.

How can I culture mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro?

MSCs may be cultured in either serum-containing medium or serum-free medium. The standard culturing conditions are DMEM, low glucose with 10% FBS. MSCs can also be grown in reduced-serum (2%) Gibco MesenPRO RS Medium (Cat. No. 12746-012), or in serum-free Gibco StemPro MSC SFM XenoFree Medium (Cat. No. A10675) and Gibco StemPro MSC SFM (Cat. No. A10332). In general, MSCs grow better under hypoxic conditions (2% O2).

How do you characterize human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)?

Human MSCs can be identified by flow cytometry, typically displaying CD73+, CD90+, CD105+, CD11b-, and CD45- marker characteristics (Blood 109:4245 (2007)). Human MSC expresses Oct4, Sox2, and Rex-1; these may be verified using RT-PCR (Arthritis Res Ther 9:204 (2007)).

What are mesenchymal stem cells?

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells isolated primarily from bone marrow or fat tissues that exhibit the ability to differentiate into bone, cartilage, and fat cells. Under normal cell culture conditions, MSCs isolated from bone marrow are spindle shaped with the unique ability to adhere to uncoated plastic culture dishes (Arthritis Res Ther 9:204 (2007)).