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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Isolation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and their Cultivation on the Porous Bone Matrix
Published on: February 9, 2015
Rat marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells developed in a medium supplemented with the autologous versus bovine serum
Mohamadreza Baghaban Eslaminejad1, Leila Rouhi, Mahmood Arabnajafi
1Stem Cell Department, Cell Sciences Research Center, Royan Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran. eslami@royaninstitute.org
Abstract:
The controversial effect of autologous serum (AS) on human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) was studied in rat MSC culture. Rat bone marrow cells were plated in a medium containing either FBS (fetal bovine serum) or AS were cultured to passage 3, during which the population doubling number (PDN) of both cultures were measured and compared statistically. The number of viable cells, the cell colonogic activity, and cell growth rate were also compared. In addition, mineralization in the osteogenic cultures from each system was measured. Our data indicated that AS enriched medium provided a microenvironment in which growth rate as well as bone differentiation of the isolated MSCs were significantly higher than in FBS enriched medium.
Insights
Autologous serum (AS) significantly enhanced rat mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) growth and bone differentiation compared to fetal bovine serum (FBS). AS provides a superior microenvironment for MSC proliferation and osteogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Stem Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are crucial for tissue regeneration.
- The use of autologous serum (AS) in MSC culture is debated.
- Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is a common but potentially problematic supplement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of AS versus FBS on rat MSCs.
- To compare MSC proliferation, viability, and osteogenic differentiation.
- To determine the optimal serum supplement for MSC culture.
Main Methods:
- Rat bone marrow MSCs were cultured in media supplemented with either FBS or AS.
- Cell population doubling number (PDN), viability, colony-forming activity, and growth rate were measured.
- Osteogenic differentiation was assessed by measuring mineralization.
Main Results:
- AS-supplemented medium significantly increased MSC growth rate and PDN compared to FBS.
- Cell viability and colony-forming activity were higher in AS cultures.
- Mineralization, indicating bone differentiation, was significantly enhanced in AS-enriched cultures.
Conclusions:
- Autologous serum (AS) provides a superior microenvironment for rat MSC culture.
- AS promotes enhanced proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs compared to FBS.
- AS represents a promising alternative to FBS for MSC expansion and differentiation.
