StemPro™ MSC SFM, 1 Kit - FAQs

Can StemPro MSC SFM (Cat. No. A1003201) be used to isolate primary cells?

Yes. StemPro MSC SFM (Cat. No. A003201) can be used for both isolating primary cells and transitioning cells from serum-containing medium.

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Do StemPro MSC SFM Basal Medium CTS and StemPro MSC SFM Supplement CTS contain L-Glutamine?

Both CTS StemPro MSC SFM and StemPro MSC SFM Supplement (Cat. No. A1033201) do not contain L-Glutamine.

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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)

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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)).