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The effects of hypoxia and serum-free conditions on the stemness properties of human adipose-derived stem cells

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Abstract

The need to have a better and safer culture condition for expansion of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is crucial particularly to prevent infection and immune rejection. This is normally associated with the use of animal-based serum in the culture media for cell expansion. The aim of this study is to investigate alternative culture conditions which may provide better and safer environment for cell growth. In the present study, human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) at passage 3 were subjected to treatment in 4 conditions: (1) 21 % O2 with fetal bovine serum (FBS), (2) 21 % O2 without FBS, (3) 2 % O2 with FBS and (4) 2 % O2 without FBS followed by subsequent analysis of their phenotype, viability and functionality. We observed that ASCs cultured in all conditions present no significant phenotypic changes. It was found that ASCs cultured in 2 % O2 without serum showed an increase in viability and growth to a certain extent when compared to those cultured in 21 % O2 without serum. However, ASCs cultured in 2 % O2 without serum displayed a relatively low adipogenic and osteogenic potential. On the other hand, interestingly, there was a positive enhancement in chondrogenic differentiation of ASCs cultured in 21 % O2 without serum. Our findings suggest that different culture conditions may be suitable for different indications. In summary, ASCs cultured in serum-free condition can still survive, proliferate and undergo subsequent adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. Therefore, FBS is feasible to be excluded for culture of ASCs, which avoids clinical complications.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by University of Malaya (University of Malaya Research Grant (UMRG: RP040B-15HTM) and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) of Malaysia (MOHE High Impact Research Grant: UM.C/HIR/MOHE/ENG/44). The sponsors have no involvement in the study design, research conduct, the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Lembah Pantai, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Wan Kamarul Zaman Wan Safwani, Chin Wei Wong, Kar Wey Yong, Jane Ru Choi, Wan Abu Bakar Wan Abas & Belinda Pingguan-Murphy

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Lembah Pantai, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Noor Azmi Mat Adenan & Siti Zawiah Omar

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  1. Wan Kamarul Zaman Wan Safwani
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Correspondence to Wan Kamarul Zaman Wan Safwani.

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Wan Safwani, W.K.Z., Wong, C.W., Yong, K.W. et al. The effects of hypoxia and serum-free conditions on the stemness properties of human adipose-derived stem cells. Cytotechnology 68, 1859–1872 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10616-015-9939-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10616-015-9939-9

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