Basic techniques in human mesenchymal stem cell cultures: Differentiation into osteogenic and adipogenic lineages, genetic perturbations, and phenotypic analyses

Claudia Bruedigam, Marjolein van Driel, Marijke Koedam, Jeroen van de Peppel, Bram C.J. van der Eerden, Marco Eijken, Johannes P.T.M. van Leeuwen

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Abstract

This unit describes basic techniques in human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) cultures. It includes protocols for the differentiation of hMSCs into osteogenic and adipogenic lineages, genetic perturbations, and phenotypic analyses. hMSCs can be differentiated with dexamethasone and β-glycerophosphate into mineralizing osteoblasts within 2 to 3 weeks, or with dexamethasone, indomethacin, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine into lipid vesicle-containing adipocytes within 1 to 2 weeks. Phenotypic changes during those highly dynamic differentiation processes can be detected by biochemical and histological assays and gene expression analyses of differentiation markers. In addition, this unit describes an electroporation method that allows the transient genetic perturbation of hMSCs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1H.3.1 - 1H.3.20
Number of pages20
JournalCurrent Protocols in Stem Cell Biology
Volume17
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adipocyte
  • Alkaline phosphatase
  • Gene expression analysis
  • Human mesenchymal stem cell
  • In vitro differentiation
  • Lipid vesicle
  • Mineralization
  • Osteoblast

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