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MethoCultâ„¢ H4034 Optimum (MethoCultâ„¢ GF H4034) is a methylcellulose-based medium for the growth and enumeration of hematopoietic progenitor cells in colony-forming unit (CFU) assays of human bone marrow, mobilized peripheral blood, peripheral blood, and cord blood samples. MethoCultâ„¢ H4034 Optimum has been formulated to support optimal growth of erythroid progenitor cells (BFU-E and CFU-E), granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-GM, CFU-G and CFU-M), and multipotential granulocyte, erythroid, macrophage, megakaryocyte progenitor cells (CFU-GEMM). The inclusion of G-CSF in Optimum formulations improves discrimination of myeloid colony subtypes. This formulation is compatible with ³§°Õ·¡²Ñ±¹¾±²õ¾±´Ç²Ôâ„¢ software for automated colony counting.
This product is designed for use in the following research area(s) as part
of the highlighted workflow stage(s). Explore these workflows to learn more about the other products we
offer to support each research area.
Semi-solid media (methylcellulose-based MethoCultâ„¢ and collagen-based MegaCultâ„¢-C) allow the clonal progeny of a single progenitor cell to remain spatially isolated from other colonies within a culture, so they may be separately identified and counted.
Why use methylcellulose-based media?
Methylcellulose permits better growth of erythroid colonies than other types of semi-solid support systems (eg. agar) while allowing optimal myeloid colony formation. When appropriate cytokines are present, committed progenitor cells of both erythroid and granulocyte/macrophage lineages (CFU-GM, CFU-G, CFU-M) as well as multi-potential progenitor cells (CFU-GEMM), can be assayed simultaneously in the same culture dish.
Is it necessary to add antibiotics to the media?
No, aseptic technique should be sufficient to maintain sterile cultures. However, antibiotics (eg. Penicillin/Streptomycin) or anti-fungals (eg. Amphotericin B) may be added to the methylcellulose medium if desired.
Is there anything I can do if my cultures appear contaminated?
No, once contamination is visible, it is not possible to rescue the cultures by the addition of antibiotics. Bacteria and yeast inhibit colony formation by depleting nutrients or by releasing toxic substances.
Why can't I use a pipette to dispense methylcellulose-based media?
Methylcellulose is a viscous solution that cannot be accurately dispensed using a pipette due to adherence of the medium to the walls of the pipette tip. Blunt-End, 16 Gauge needles (Catalog #28110), in combination with 3 cc Syringes (Catalog #28230) are recommended for accurate dispensing of MethoCultâ„¢.
Can I 'pluck' the colonies for individual analysis?
Yes, colonies can be 'plucked' using a pipette with 200 µL sterile pipette tips or using a glass Pasteur pipette with an elongated tip. Individual colonies should be placed in a volume of 25 - 50 µL of medium, and diluted into suitable culture medium for further culture or analysis.
Why are low adherence dishes so important?
Adherent cells such as fibroblasts can cause inhibition of colony growth and obscure visualization of colonies.
Can MethoCult™ products be used for lymphoid progenitor CFU assays?
Human lymphoid progenitors (B, NK and T) seem to require stromal support for growth therefore cannot be grown in MethoCultâ„¢. Mouse pre-B clonogenic progenitors can be grown in MethoCultâ„¢ M3630 (Catalog #03630).
Is it possible to set up CFU assays in a 24-well plate?
Yes, as long as a plating concentration optimized for the smaller surface area of a well in a 24-well plate (1.9 cm2 as compared to ~9.5 cm2 for a 35 mm dish) is used for these assays. The number of replicate wells required to get an accurate estimation of CFU numbers may also need to be increased.
Can I stain colonies in MethoCultâ„¢ medium?
The cells in individual colonies in MethoCultâ„¢ can be stained, eg., for analysis of morphology or phenotype, after they are plucked from the dish and washed free of methylcellulose. Colonies grown in collagen-based MegaCultâ„¢-C medium can be used for immunohistochemical or enzymatic staining in situ after dehydration and fixation onto glass slides.
Are there differences in colony morphology with serum-free media?
Serum-containing media generally give better overall growth (colonies may appear larger) but there are no large differences in total colony numbers when CFU assays using serum-free media and serum-containing media are compared, provided that identical cytokines are present.
Can MethoCult™ be made with alternate base media?
Yes, this can be done as a 'custom' media order. Please contact techsupport@stemcell.com for more information.
Is there a MethoCult™ formulation suitable for HPP-CFC (high proliferative potential colony forming cell)?
Yes, MethoCultâ„¢ H4535 (Catalog #04535) can be used for the HPP-CFC assay as it does not contain EPO. The culture period is usually 28 days. It is not necessary to feed these cultures as growth factors in the medium are present in excess. As HPP-CFCs can be quite large, overplating can be a problem. It is recommended to plate cells at two or more different concentrations.
A porcine model of Fanconi anemia
B. Hergert et al.
PLOS One 2025 Oct
Abstract
Although small animal models of Fanconi anemia (FA) are useful, they do not faithfully replicate many of the clinical features seen in FA patients. We reasoned that a porcine model of FA with its similar physiology and a relatively long lifespan would produce a phenotype more similar to human FA. Targeting FANCA in domestic swine resulted in skeletal abnormalities and extreme sensitivity to interstrand DNA cross-linking agents. In addition, FANCA disruption followed by mitomycin C treatment resulted in a > 10-fold increase in chromosomal radials, a finding that is considered diagnostic for human FA. Bone marrow derived, hematopoietic progenitor cells from a FANCA null pig showed a 75% reduction in colony forming activity compared to wild type. Evaluation of steady state hematopoiesis in the peripheral blood revealed the gradual development of red cell macrocytosis and a reduction in circulating neutrophils. Targeting of FANCD2 failed to produce any biallelic animals demonstrating the loss of FANCD2 function is embryonic lethal in pigs. These results indicate that a porcine model of FANCA holds promise for the development of strategies to prevent the development of bone marrow failure and malignancies in patients with FA.
Continuous map of early hematopoietic stem cell differentiation across human lifetime
H. Komic et al.
Nature Communications 2025 Mar
Abstract
Uncovering early gene network changes of human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) leading to differentiation induction is of utmost importance for therapeutic manipulation. We employed single cell proteo-transcriptomic sequencing to FACS-enriched bone marrow hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) from 15 healthy donors. Pseudotime analysis reveals four major differentiation trajectories, which remain consistent upon aging, with an early branching point into megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors. However, young donors suggest a more productive differentiation from HSPCs to committed progenitors of all lineages. tradeSeq analysis depicts continuous changes in gene expression of HSPC-related genes (DLK1, ADGRG6), and provides a roadmap of gene expression at the earliest branching points. We identify CD273/PD-L2 to be highly expressed in a subfraction of immature multipotent HSPCs with enhanced quiescence. Functional experiments confirm the immune-modulatory function of CD273/PD-L2 on HSPCs in regulating T-cell activation and cytokine release. Here, we present a molecular map of early HSPC differentiation across human life. Therapeutic application of hematopoietic stem cells requires a thorough understanding of their in situ differentiation pathways. Here they use single cell proteo-transcriptomic sequencing to identify human HSPC differentiation cues and an immunoregulatory function of CD273/PD-L2 on early HSPCs.
Engineering biomimetic bone marrow niche with gene modified mesenchymal stromal cells for ex vivo culture of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
S. Suresh et al.
Stem Cell Research & Therapy 2025 Jul
Abstract
BackgroundHematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells (HSPCs) gene therapy has shown significant progress, with commercial approval for at least four distinct haematological disorders, and poised for a rapid expansion in the upcoming years. Despite these advancements, the ex vivo culture of HSPCs continues to present significant challenges. The stress induced by ex vivo culture can negatively impact transplantation outcomes, while the need for exogenous cytokine supplementation contributes to the high costs associated with gene therapy products.MethodsWe developed genetically modified human bone marrow MSCs (GM-MSCs) secreting cytokines such as Stem cell factor (SCF), Thrombopoietin (TPO), FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3-ligand (FLT3L), and Interleukin-3 (IL3), closely resembling bone marrow cellular niche to augment HSPCs culture.ResultsHSPCs proliferate on GM-MSCs akin to standard conditions, devoid of external cytokine supplementation and these HSPCs retain their stem cell characteristics, colony-forming potential, stemness gene signatures, and capacity for long-term multilineage reconstitution in NBSGW mice. We demonstrate that our biomimetic feeder layer supports and alleviates stress associated with Homology Directed Repair (HDR) mediated gene-editing of HSPCs for fetal haemoglobin reactivation for a potential application in β-hemoglobinopathies gene therapy.ConclusionOur GM-MSCs offer a compelling alternative to traditional cytokine supplementation by establishing a biomimetic bone marrow niche that fosters HSPC expansion while maintaining their stemness. These findings underscore the potential of engineered MSCs to revolutionize ex vivo HSPCs culture, ultimately enhancing their therapeutic value for gene therapy applications.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-025-04474-4.
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