StemXVivo Xeno-Free Human MSC Expansion Media

Kit Summary

Xeno-free media optimized for the expansion of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Key Benefits

• Maintains MSCs in an undifferentiated state
• Free of animal components that can introduce variability and pose a safety risk
• Suitable for translational studies
• Optimized for efficient expansion of human MSCs

Why use Xeno-Free Media to Expand Mesenchymal Stem Cells?

Mesenchymal stem cells are often expanded in media that contain serum and other components that are of animal origin. The presence of animal-derived factors in media can introduce experimental variability and limit the use of the cultured cells in translational or clinical studies.

R&D Systems offers StemXVivo^® Xeno-Free Human MSC Expansion Media, a media that is optimized for efficient expansion of human MSCs in the absence of animal-derived components. MSCs expanded in StemXVivo^® Xeno-Free Human MSC Expansion Media maintain a characteristic fibroblast-like morphology, remain in an undifferentiated state, and express MSC markers.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells or Mesenchymal Stem Cells?

The term ‘mesenchymal stromal cells’ is commonly used to describe a heterogeneous population of cultured cells that are adherent to plastic, have a distinct morphology, and express a specific set of marker proteins. Within this heterogeneous population are cells referred to as ‘mesenchymal stem cells.’

Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent, self-renewing cells that have the ability to differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts when cultured in vitro. Read More about MSC Nomenclature

StemXVivo^® Xeno-Free Human MSC Expansion Media Components

Supplied in a 500 mL volume, StemXVivo Xeno-Free Human MSC Media contains high quality factors to support MSC expansion in vitro. This media does not contain antibiotics.

Stability and Storage

StemXVivo^® Xeno-Free Human MSC Expansion Media is stable until the expiration date when stored at -20 ^°C in a manual defrost freezer. The media should be thawed at 2 ^°C to 8 ^°C. Thawed media can be aliquoted and stored at -20 ^°C in a manual defrost freezer for up to 3 months or used within one month when stored in the dark at 2 ^°C to 8 ^°C. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

2006 Proposed Change to MSC Nomenclature

Although mesenchymal stromal cells were once referred to as ‘mesenchymal stem cells’, a change to ‘mesenchymal stromal cells’ was proposed by the International Society for Cellular Therapy in 2006.¹

The change in nomenclature originates from two important factors:

• Methods used to isolate mesenchymal stem cells yield a heterogeneous population of cells with only a fraction of these cells demonstrating multipotency.
• The absence of direct evidence that mesenchymal stem cells can self-renew and differentiate in vivo.

Use of Mesenchymal Stem and Stromal Cell Terminology

Data supporting MSC self-renewal and multipotency have been obtained using in vitro conditions, which does not adequately reflect the in vivo environment. The lack of in vivo data has led some researchers to question the validity of the term ‘mesenchymal stem cell’ providing further support for the use of ‘mesenchymal stromal cells’ to describe MSCs.² While ‘mesenchymal stromal cells’ may be the more scientifically accurate term for MSCs, the two terms are often used interchangeably in the literature. R&D Systems recognizes the use of both mesenchymal stem cells and mesenchymal stromal cells and uses ‘MSC’ to indicate mesenchymal stem/stromal cells to account for both designations.

Definitions of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells

• Mesenchymal Stromal Cells – A heterogeneous population of cultured cells with similar characteristics such as the ability to adhere to plastic and the expression of specific marker proteins.
• Mesenchymal Stem Cells – A subpopulation of mesenchymal stromal cells that have the capacity to self-renew and differentiate into mesodermal lineages when cultured in vitro. The capacity to self-renew and differentiate in vivo has yet to be clearly demonstrated for mesenchymal stem cells.

References

• Dominici, M. et al. (2006) Cytotherapy 8:315.
• Keating, A. (2012) Cell Stem Cell 10:709.