Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
Feeder-free Derivation of Neural Crest Progenitor Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Published on: May 22, 2014
Simple autogeneic feeder cell preparation for pluripotent stem cells
Weizhen Li1, Hiromi Yamashita, Fumiyuki Hattori
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.
Abstract:
Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) are the most commonly used feeder cells for pluripotent stem cells. However, autogeneic feeder (AF) cells have several advantages such as no xenogeneic risks and reduced costs. In this report, we demonstrate that common marmoset embryonic stem (cmES) cells can be maintained on common marmoset AF (cmAF) cells. These cmES cells were maintained on cmAF cells for 6 months, retaining their morphology, normal karyotype, and expression patterns for the pluripotent markers Oct-3/4, Nanog, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60, and TRA-1-81, as well as their ability to differentiate into cardiac and neural cells. Antibody array analysis revealed equivalent protein expression profiles between cmES cells maintained on cmAF cells and MEFs. In addition, similarly prepared human embryonic stem (hES) and induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cell-derived AF cells supported the growth of and maintained the morphology and pluripotent marker expressions of hES and hiPS cells, respectively. DNA microarray analysis revealed that these hES and hiPS cells had mRNA expression profiles similar to those of hES and hiPS cells maintained on MEFs, respectively. Taken together, these findings imply that AF cells can replace MEFs in the routine maintenance of primate pluripotent stem cells.
Insights
Autogeneic feeder (AF) cells, derived from the same species, can replace mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) for maintaining pluripotent stem cells. This approach eliminates xenogeneic risks and reduces costs while preserving stem cell pluripotency and differentiation potential.
Area of Science:
- Stem Cell Biology
- Cell Culture
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) are standard feeder cells for pluripotent stem cells.
- Autogeneic feeder (AF) cells offer advantages like reduced xenogeneic risks and lower costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of autogeneic feeder cells for maintaining primate pluripotent stem cells.
- To compare the performance of AF cells with MEFs in supporting stem cell cultures.
Main Methods:
- Common marmoset embryonic stem (cmES) cells were cultured on common marmoset AF (cmAF) cells.
- Human embryonic stem (hES) and induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells were cultured on their respective AF cells.
- Cell morphology, karyotype, pluripotent marker expression, and differentiation potential were assessed.
- Protein and mRNA expression profiles were analyzed using antibody arrays and DNA microarrays.
Main Results:
- cmES cells maintained on cmAF cells for 6 months retained normal morphology, karyotype, and pluripotent marker expression.
- These cmES cells differentiated into cardiac and neural lineages.
- Protein expression profiles of cmES cells on cmAF cells were equivalent to those on MEFs.
- hES and hiPS cells cultured on their respective AF cells showed similar morphology and marker expression compared to those on MEFs.
- mRNA expression profiles of hES and hiPS cells on AF cells mirrored those on MEFs.
Conclusions:
- Autogeneic feeder cells can effectively replace MEFs for the routine maintenance of primate pluripotent stem cells.
- This finding supports the use of species-specific feeder cells to enhance the safety and efficiency of stem cell culture.
- AF cells provide a viable alternative for pluripotent stem cell culture, minimizing risks associated with xenogeneic materials.
