Isolation and expansion of equine umbilical cord-derived matrix cells (EUCMCs)

Cell Biol Int. 2009 Jan;33(1):100-5. doi: 10.1016/j.cellbi.2008.10.012. Epub 2008 Nov 1.

Abstract

Stem cells from extra-embryonic sources can be obtained by non-invasive procedures. We have standardized a method for the expansion of equine umbilical cord-derived matrix cells (EUCMCs) for potential therapy. EUCMCs were isolated from the umbilical cord of five mares immediately after delivery. For expansion, cells were grown in alpha-MEM and MSCBM. Moreover, to measure the effect of growth factor supplementation, epidermal growth factor (EGF) was added to alpha-MEM. alpha-MEM and MSCBM media performed similarly in terms of population doubling and CFU number value. EGF supplementation of alpha-MEM determined a significant increase of the population doubling value. EGF supplementation did not affect the adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation while bone nodule sizes an increased with the osteogenic protocol. Both alpha-MEM and MSCBM can be used to cultivate EUCMCs. alpha-MEM supplemented with EGF might represent an advantage for EUCMCs expansion. The results could be useful in choosing the culture medium since alpha-MEM is more cost-effective than MSCBM.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Cell Culture Techniques*
  • Cell Proliferation* / drug effects
  • Cell Separation / methods*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Colony-Forming Units Assay
  • Culture Media
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / pharmacology
  • Horses
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / physiology
  • Umbilical Cord / cytology*

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Epidermal Growth Factor