Adipose Tissue Derived Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Can Be Isolated Using Serum-free Media

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) as multipotent cells with the capacity to be differentiated into several cell lineages are promising sources for cell therapy and tissue engineering nowadays. Today most of culturing media are supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS). But FBS containing culturing media may raise the possibility of zoonotic infections and immunological reactions in cell therapy conditions. Numerous investigations have been performed to assess the use of FBS-free culturing systems for bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cell isolation.

The present investigation aimed to assess the effect of serum-free media on growth and differentiating capacity of adipose tissue- derived MSCs.

Approximately, 1cm3 surgically waste sterile adipose tissue was digested with collagenase-I leading to a single cell suspension. The isolated cells were cultured in Ultra Culture media supplemented with 2% Ultroser G. MSC's isolation was confirmed with respect to morphology, flowcytometry, adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potentials.

The isolated cells showed adherent spindle shaped morphology, expanded rapidly and revealed expected MSC flowcytometric characteristics; they were positive for CD73, CD90, CD105, CD44, CD166, CD44 and negative for hematopoietic antigen such as CD45, CD34 and CD14. They could also be differentiated successfully into osteoblast and adipocyte, being confirmed by using Alizarin Red and Oil red O staining, respectively.

According to the results of the present study, it can be concluded that adipose derived MSCs can be cultured in serum-free media with no change in their differentiating capacity. This finding gives us a hope for future cell therapy studies and trials with little concern about zoonotic infections or immunological reaction.