Research Associate Rohto Advanced Research Hong Kong LTD., Hong Kong
Abstract: MSCs (Mesenchymal Stem Cells) have garnered significant attention for their potential in regenerative medicine and cell therapy. The selection of cell culture medium is crucial, as MSCs are exceptionally sensitive to their cultivation environment. Traditionally, fetal bovine serum (FBS) has been used to supplement MSCs cultures. However, due to undefined and heterogeneous nature of animal-derived components in FBS, there have been efforts to develop serum-free culture media for MSC cultivation. Numerous commercially available serum-free media claim to support or enhance the growth and function of MSCs. Therefore, choosing the appropriate culture medium is vital for maintaining MSC quality and quantity. In our study, we utilized umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) to compare and evaluate the functional changes between different serum-free culture media. We assessed parameters such as cell proliferation, MSCs’ surface markers, cytokine secretion, trilineage differentiation, immunosuppressive capability, and angiogenic potential. Additionally, we conducted RNA sequencing to analyse the changes in gene expression. Our findings suggest that Rohto’s culture medium significantly enhances the growth and function of MSCs. We anticipate that Rohto's media will maximize the quality and quantity of MSCs, thereby making a significant contribution to regenerative medicine research.
