Primary culture of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells in serum free medium

BACKGROUND: The application of mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord cultured in serum-containing medium has some obstacles. OBJECTIVE: To establish serum free medium system for primary culture of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS: Wharton's Jelly was isolated from umbilical cord, minced, 1-3 mm³, and subsequently incubated in either serum containing medium or serum free medium. Some cells were harvested on days 11, 14 and 17 for some detection. Based on the minimal criteria established by the International Society for Cellular Therapy in 2006, mesenchymal stem cells were assayed with colony forming unit-fibroblast. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The mesenchymal stem cells grew rapidly in serum free medium condition compared with serum containing medium. On day 11, the number of colonies was larger in serum free medium condition than that in serum containing medium. Thus, serum free medium could maintain properties of mesenchymal stem cells and provide possibility a credible alternative to serum containing medium for primary culture of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells.