Controlled formaldehyde fixation of fibronectin layers for expansion of mesenchymal stem cells

Anal Biochem. 2016 Dec 1:514:38-41. doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2016.09.003. Epub 2016 Sep 6.

Abstract

Extracellular cell matrices deposited by cells stimulate cell proliferation. However, their generation is cumbersome and time consuming. We show here that controlled fixation of fibronectin layers after coating culture vessels significantly enhances expansion of murine and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and, to a lesser extent, primary fibroblasts. In contrast, fibronection fixation did not stimulate proliferation of established cancer cell lines. Fixed vitronectin or collagen IV layers also enhanced proliferation of murine MSCs. Thus, controlled formaldehyde fixation of layers formed by fibronectin or some other extracellular matrix components represents a simple and reproducible way to enhance proliferation of primary cells.

Keywords: Collagen IV; Fibronectin; Fixation; Formaldehyde; Mesenchymal stem cells; Vitronectin.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods*
  • Collagen Type IV / chemistry
  • Fibronectins / chemistry*
  • Formaldehyde / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mice

Substances

  • Collagen Type IV
  • Fibronectins
  • Formaldehyde