Expansion and Characterization of Human Bone Marrow–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cultured on Fragmin/Protamine Microparticle–Coated Matrix with Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 in Low Serum Medium

Abstract

Fragmin/protamine microparticles (F/P MPs) can be stably coated onto plastic surfaces. A capability of F/P MP–coated plates was investigated to immobilize fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 as a substratum to expand human bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs). FGF-2 molecules in low (2%) human serum (HS) medium were immobilized onto F/P MP–coated plates, and the FGF-2 was gradually released into the medium with a half-releasing time of 4–5 days. BMMSCs adhered well to the F/P MP–coated plates, and grew at a doubling time of about 28 h in low (2%) HS medium with FGF-2 (5 ng/mL), while the cells grew at a doubling time of about 30 and 38 h in high (10%) HS medium and in low (2%) HS medium with FGF-2, respectively, without F/P MP coating. The expanded BMMSCs on the F/P MP–coated plates in low (2%) HS medium with FGF-2 maintained their multilineage potential for differentiation into adipocytes and osteoblasts.