Submitted August 23, 2005
Returned for revision September 12, 2005
Accepted October 17, 2005
Embryo
Defined Feeder-Free Culture System of Human Embryonic Stem
Cells
Seon Hye Cheon ,
Sun Jong Kim ,
Jung Youn Jo ,
Won Jeong Ryu ,
Kunsoo Rhee ,
and
Sung Il Roh *
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: roh{at}mizmedi.net.
Abstract
Most of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) has been
established and maintained on
a feeder layer and/or in mouse embryonic fibroblast
(MEF)-conditioned media with animal-
origin supplements. These cells may be generally
appropriate for basic research but not clinical
applications. In an effort to develop a feeder-free,
xeno-free culture system for therapeutic
applications, we cultured three different Miz-hES cell
lines for up to 7 months on human
laminin in a novel, feeder layer-free cocktail medium
containing growth factors and
extracellular matrix molecules. All three of the cultured
hESC lines retained appropriate
expression of transcription factors and surface antigens
after prolonged culture, and showed
normal telomere lengths, karyotypes and developmental
potentials in vivo and in vitro. These
findings indicate that our novel serum- and feeder-free
culture method may be useful for
generation at clinically applicable hESCs.
Key words:
Embryo •
Environment •
Early development •
Growth factors •
Signal transduction
