Open AccessDefined Culture of Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Xeno‐Free Derivation of Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells on a Novel, Synthetic Substrate
Author(s) -
Pennington Britney O.,
Clegg Dennis O.,
Melkoumian Zara K.,
Hikita Sherry T.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
stem cells translational medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.781
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 2157-6580
pISSN - 2157-6564
DOI - 10.5966/sctm.2014-0179
Subject(s) - embryonic stem cell , retinal pigment epithelium , microbiology and biotechnology , stem cell , biology , cell culture , immunocytochemistry , retina , retinal , biochemistry , genetics , neuroscience , endocrinology , gene
This study compares maintenance of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and their differentiation into retinal pigmented epithelial cells (RPE) using Matrigel, Synthemax‐R, and Synthemax II‐SC. Expression of RPE‐specific markers was assessed by flow cytometry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and immunocytochemistry, and RPE function was determined by phagocytosis of rod outer segments and secretion of pigment epithelium‐derived factor. Results suggest that Synthemax II‐SC is a suitable substrate for hESC culture and the xeno‐free derivation of RPE for cellular therapies.