A strategy for culturing human pluripotent stem cells for translational research

Abstract

The tremendous potential of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in regenerative medicine has garnered the focus of the scientific community worldwide. However, many limitations need to be addressed before we can use the knowledge for clinical applications. We have had a longstanding interest in establishing a safe, clinical-grade environment for culturing hPSCs. We observed that human placenta-derived (chorionic villi) cells could support and maintain hPSC characteristics without the exogenous supplementation of growth factors. We developed a conditioned medium from human placenta-derived feeder cells. This medium could support hPSC growth on a 0.1% gelatin-coated dish that is commonly used for culturing human cells. Thereafter, we identified candidates affecting the pluripotency of hPSCs through CXCR2 ligands in the absence of bFGF. Our previous study was the first to describe the use of a unique feeder-free humanized culture system to support hPSCs on a gelatin substratum regardless of the presence bFGF. Clearly, the human placenta can be used to not only circumvent many limitations but also is an excellent material for translational research.