Porous matrix of calcium alginate/gelatin with enhanced properties as scaffold for cell culture.

Hydrophilic polysaccharides can be used to prepare porous matrices with a range of possible applications. One such application involves acting as scaffolds for cell culture. A new homogeneous and highly porous biopolymeric porous matrix (BPM) of calcium alginate/gelatin was produced by following a simple process.

Nonstimulated human uncommitted mesenchymal stem cells express cell markers of mesenchymal and neural lineages.

Ex vivo cultures of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) contain subsets of progenitors exhibiting dissimilar properties. One of these subsets comprises uncommitted progenitors displaying distinctive features, such as morphology, a quiescent condition, growth factor production, and restricted tissue biodistribution after transplantation. In this study, we assessed the competence of these cells to express, in the absence of differentiation stimuli, markers of mesoderm and ectodermic (neural) cell lineages.

Human cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells home and survive in the marrow of immunodeficient mice after systemic infusion.

Bone marrow is the residence site of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), which upon commitment and maturation develop into several mesenchymal phenotypes. Recently, we have described the presence of MSC in human cord blood (cbMSC) and informed that their properties are the same as those for MSC obtained from adult bone marrow. In this study we have investigated the capability of transplanted cbMSC to home and survive in the marrow of unconditioned nude mice.