Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are useful because they can replicate as undifferentiated cells and turn into bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, tendon and marrow stroma.
Lonza has expanded the characterisation of its “Poietics” hMSCs to meet industry guidelines for translational and cell therapy research applications.
“This robust starting population is critical for translational research and a number of other applications where stem cells can play a vital role, including gene therapy and transplantation, cell differentiation and cell-based screening assays, such as those commonly employed in drug discovery labs,” said Lonza.
“The improved hMSCs are part of a portfolio of cell culture products that form a streamlined workflow specifically optimised to deliver accurate and reliable results, encompassing Lonza’s primary adult stem cells, growth and expansion media, differentiation kits and cell-based assays.”
New test criteria
The hMSCs are sold as three types, which will differentiate into either adipogenic, chondrogenic, or osteogenic lineages when cultured in the right medium.
In accordance with 2006 recommendations by the International Society for Cellular Therapy, Lonza introduced testing to ensure the expression of CD90 and CD73, and to confirm absence fo HLA-DR and CD19. The cells also express CD29, CD44, CD105 and CD166, and do not express CD14, CD34 or CD45.
The company says all cells are proven to be free from mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi, and all donors and cells test negative for HIV-1, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Lonza will provide a certificate of analysis to customers for each cell lot purchased.