GROWTH CAPACITY OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS IN SERUM-DEPLETED MEDIA

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is a promising therapy with a wide range of applications. However, the reliability of this therapy remains uncertain. Synchronizing MSCs before their application is a crucial strategy to align the cells in the same phase of the cell cycle and improve the therapy’s reliability. Starving MSCs in a serum-depleted medium can promote synchronization, although it may also adversely impact the physiological function of the cells. This study aims to investigate the impact of serum starvation on the growth of MSCs. Human MSCs isolated from umbilical cord were cultured in α-MEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The cells were then incubated with low-glucose α-MEM or high-glucose DMEM with or without FBS for three days. Images of ten distinct areas were captured, and the covered areas were quantified using image analysis software. The difference between groups was calculated with student’s t-test. Results showed a significant decrease in MSC growth in α-MEM compared to α-MEM+FBS (p<0.0001) and in DMEM compared to DMEM+FBS (p<0.001). There is no difference in cell growth between α-MEM+FBS and DMEM+FBS (p=0.323) or α-MEM and DMEM (p=0.496). These findings showed that serum-depleted medium halts the growth capacity of MSCs.