Mesenchymal Stem Cell Isolation, Culture, Characterization and Cryopreservation

The characteristic features of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have made them an important subject of the regenerative medicine. These cells are being harvested, isolated and characterized from numerous adult body tissues/organs, in addition to the foetal membranes. The cells in donor tissues are present in a very limited and variable concentrations making it imperative to culture expand them for effective utilization. The variations in tissue types and/in culture techniques of the cells make it difficult to understand their features and clinical applications. For ready to use application, the cells are being banked, mostly through cryopreservation. The details of isolation, culture and characterization, in addition to cryopreservation, of MSCs are detailed in this topic.