Culture and expansion of the human embryonic stem cell line HS181, evaluated in a double-color system
Summary
An approach of using RFP-transfected human foreskin fibroblasts (hFS-RFP) to support the growth of GFP expressing human embryonic stem cells (hES; HS181-GFP) is reported. The two-color system was applied to detect interactions between hFS and human embryonic stem cells (hES). After overnight culture, the hES cell colonies showed a behavior of "pushing away" the underlying feeder cells. This phenomenon occurred with both a low and high density of feeders. The density of the feeder cell layer, however, influenced the growth pattern of hES cell colonies. At a high feeder cell density, the hES colonies were more pointed and aligned with the direction of the fibroblasts, whereas less dense feeder layers allowed a more rounded and flat hES colony formation. Not surprisingly, a small fraction of mitotically inactivated feeder cells reattached after passage and remained viable in the cultures for up to four subsequent passages. The prospect of using the two-color system for detection of possible fusion events between hES cells and feeder cells was assessed by screening a large number of cell cultures for double RFP/EGFP expressing cells. The results indicate that fusion events are extremely rare (<10(-6)), or alternatively that after fusion the dual expression of both EGFP and RFP is not easily detected for other reasons. In summary, a two-color system allows analysis of colony formation and also helps to identify and follow the differentiation of cells.
| Authors | Imreh MP, Wolbank S, Unger C, Gertow K, Aints A, Szeles A, Imreh S, Hovatta O, Fried G, Dilber S, Ahrlund-Richter L |
|---|---|
| Journal | Stem cells and development |
| Publication Date | 2004 Aug;13(4):337-43 |
| PubMed | 15345126 |
| DOI | 10.1089/scd.2004.13.337 |