Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Matrix Stimulates Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation and SSEA4 Expression When Used as Supplement in Cell Growth Medium

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been shown to promote tissue repair and regeneration due to their ability to immunomodulate the microenvironment, stimulate angiogenesis, and give rise to multiple cell types. However, one of the obstacles associated with MSC therapies is obtaining relevant numbers of MSCs for clinical treatments. In order to improve MSC isolation and expansion, we developed a High Performance Micro Environment (HPME) generated by bone marrow stromal cells. Scanning electron microscopy and mass spectrometry analyses demonstrate that the HPME is a three-dimensional, protein network composed of extracellular matrix proteins. When used as a cell culture substratum, the HPME improves the yield of adipose-, bone marrow-, and cord blood-derived MSCs by a minimum of 2-fold. Bone marrow MSCs expanded on HPME have an increased expression of stage specific embryonic antigen (SSEA)-4, a multipotent MSC marker, when compared to MSCs expanded on plastic (41±6% difference compared to plastic). Interest...