Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on Matrigel: growing and changing

Zhang Bin-bin; Gao Quan-wen; Li Bing; Huang Sha; Yao Bin

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.0427

Abstract：BACKGROUND: Matrigel as an extracellular matrix complex can facilitate cell proliferation, differentiation and collagen secretion in a cell culture system. OBJECTIVE: To establish a three-dimensional culture model of Matrigel combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and to observe the morphology, proliferation and survival of BMSCs in the Matrigel three-dimensional culture model. METHODS: BMSCs were isolated and cultured by the whole bone marrow adherent method, followed by osteogenic and adipogenic induction and identification. The growth curve of passage 3 BMSCs was determined through the CCK-8 experiment. Passage 2 BMSCs were combined with Matrigel, and the morphology and proliferation of BMSCs were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining under a phase contrast microscope. The viability of the cells was evaluated by the Live/Dead staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) BMSCs cultured by the whole bone marrow adherent method had the ability to differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes. (2) BMSCs exhibited an "S"-shaped growth curve, which was consistent with the growth characteristics of normal cells. (3) Under the phase contrast microscope, BMSCs cultured by the Matrigel model were extended and interconnected in a three-dimensional network growth state with good proliferation. The Matrigel gradually became soft and collapsed over time (7days) and a few cells were still in a network growth after 14 days. Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that the cell cytoplasm was larger at 4 days and the cells became thinned and mutually cross-linked at 7 days. (4) The active percentage of BMSCs in the Matrigel model was 92.57%, 95.54% and 97.37% at 1, 4, 7 days of culture, respectively. To conclude, BMSCs cultured on the Matrigel has good proliferation and high viability.