Rhesus monkey embryonic stem (rhES) cells were grown on mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeder layers for up to 10 days to form multilayered colonies. Within this period, stem cell colonies differentiated transiently into complex structures with a disc-like morphology. These complex colonies were characterized by morphology, immunohistochemistry, and marker mRNA expression to identify processe...

We previously demonstrated the transmission of murine cytomegalovirus to syngeneic mice and preformed monolayers of mouse embryo fibroblasts with plastic-adherent peritoneal exudate cells from infected mice as a source of macrophages. In the present studies we compared this standard feeder layer method with a reverse feeder layer method in which the adhering peritoneal exudate cells remained at...

BACKGROUND Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is an indispensable factor for maintaining mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell pluripotency. A feeder layer and serum are also needed to maintain an undifferentiated state, however, such animal derived materials need to be eliminated for clinical applications. Therefore, a more reliable ES cell culture technique is required. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDING...

The optimal maintenance of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) in vitro is generally observed in the presence of a feeder-layer of mouse embryonic fibroblasts in a serum-containing medium. Various approaches are now available to remove the feeder requirement. Today, the best feeder-free system for the maintenance of hESC and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells is based on a serum-replacement med...

BACKGROUND Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are a promising and powerful source of cells for applications in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, cell-based therapies, and drug discovery. Many researchers have employed conventional culture techniques using feeder cells to expand hESCs in significant numbers, although feeder-free culture techniques have recently been developed. In regard...

Although epithelial-like somatic cells have been previously isolated from semen, cell proliferation rates were low. Culture of whole semen samples resulted in loss of potentially valuable spermatozoa. The aims of the present study were to: (1) isolate somatic cells from semen, while preserving sperm viability, and (2) optimize in vitro culture conditions for semen-derived epithelial cells. Dens...

Objective(s):Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from Wharton’s jelly (WJ-MSCs) are now much more appealing for cell-based infertility therapy. Hence, WJ-MSCs differentiation toward germ layer cells for cell therapy purposes is currently under intensive study. Materials and Methods: MSCs were isolated from human Wharton’s jelly and treated with BMP4, retinoic acid (RA) or co-cultured on huma...