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STEMdiff™ APEL™2 Medium

Defined, animal origin-free medium for differentiation of human ES and iPS cells to multiple lineages

STEMdiff™ APEL™2 Medium

Defined, animal origin-free medium for differentiation of human ES and iPS cells to multiple lineages

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Defined, animal origin-free medium for differentiation of human ES and iPS cells to multiple lineages
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Product Advantages


  • Compatible with TeSR™-cultured human ES and iPS cells

  • Compatible with adherent or EB culture differentiation protocols

  • Capable of supporting endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm differentiation, when specific cytokines or induction factors are added

Overview

STEMdiff™ APEL™ 2 Medium is a fully defined, serum-free and animal origin-free medium for the differentiation of human embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. It is based on the APEL formulation published by Dr. Andrew Elefanty and lacks undefined components such as protein-free hybridoma medium.

STEMdiff™ APEL™ 2 can be used in adherent or embryoid body (EB)-based protocols, such as with AggreWell™. It can be used with a variety of different induction factors or cytokines to support differentiation along ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm lineages.
Subtype
Specialized Media
Cell Type
Pluripotent Stem Cells
Species
Human
Application
Cell Culture, Differentiation
Brand
STEMdiff
Area of Interest
Drug Discovery and Toxicity Testing, Stem Cell Biology
Formulation Category
Animal Origin-Free

Data Figures

Figure 1. Generation of Hematopoietic Progenitors Using STEMdiff™ APEL™2 in a Spin EB Protocol

Figure 1. Generation of Hematopoietic Progenitors Using STEMdiff™ APEL™2 in a Spin EB Protocol

(A) Embryoid bodies can be generated by seeding 8000 hPSCs/well of a 96-well plate or (B) 500 hPSCs per microwell of AggreWell™400 24-well plates using STEMdiff™ APEL™2 Medium supplemented with Rho Kinase Inhibitor. Images shown were taken 24 hours after seeding. For hematopoietic differentiation using STEMdiff™ APEL™2 Medium, EBs in 96-well plates were generated following a modified Zhu and Kaufman protocol (STEMdiff™ APEL™2 supplemented with Human Recombinant SCF, ACF, Human Recombinant VEGF-165, ACF, Human Recombinant BMP-4, Rho Kinase Inhibitor IV, and Human Recombinant bFGF). At Day 6, EBs were dissociated, and cell counts and flow cytometry were performed. Hematopoietic progenitors were generated in one hESC (H9) and two hiPSC (SCTi003-A and WLS- 1C) lines. Cells were gated on singlets and viability. (C) Representative flow plot of WLS-1C. (D) Quantification of CD34+ cells at Day 6 and (E) quantification of yield of viable CD34+ cells generated per 96-well plate. Error bars are shown as mean +/- SEM, n = 3.

Figure 2. EBs Generated with STEMdiff™ APEL™2 Medium Can Differentiate to NK Cells at High Efficiency

Figure 2. EBs Generated with STEMdiff™ APEL™2 Medium Can Differentiate to NK Cells at High Efficiency

Following 6 days of hematopoietic differentiation in STEMdiff™ APEL™2 Medium (Figure 1), 16 EBs were transferred into each well of a gelatin-coated 6-well plate and cultured for 28 days in NK cell differentiation medium described in the protocol. After 28 days, floating cells were harvested, and cell counts and flow cytometry were performed using a panel of NK markers: Anti-Human CD56 (NCAM) Antibody, Clone HCD56 (APC), Anti-Human CD45 Antibody, Clone HI30 (PE), Anti-Human CD16 Antibody, Clone 3G8 (FITC), KIR (clone HP-MA4), NKG2D, NKp44, and NKp46. (A) Cell surface marker expression on pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived CD56+ NK Cells. Cells were gated on singlets and viability. NK cells were generated in 2 cell lines: ES cell line (H9) and human iPS cell line (WLS-1C). (B) Quantification of CD45+CD56+ cells at day 28 and (C) quantification of yield of viable CD56+ cells generated per 6-well plate. Error bars are shown as mean +/- SEM, n=3.

Figure 3. EBs Generated with STEMdiff™ APEL™2 Medium Can Differentiation Into Functional NK Cells

Figure 3. EBs Generated with STEMdiff™ APEL™2 Medium Can Differentiation Into Functional NK Cells

Following 6 days of hematopoietic differentiation in STEMdiff™ APEL™2 Medium (Figure 1), EBs were transferred to gelatin-coated plates and cultured for 28 days in NK differentiation media following the . protocol. (A) After 28 days, hPSC-derived CD56+ NK cells were co-cultured with K562 target cells labeled with eBioscience™ Cell Proliferation Dye eFluor™ 670 for 5 hours at effector to target (E/T) ratios of 1:1 or 1:3. Positive controls were freshly isolated peripheral blood (PB) NK cells pre-cultured in ImmunoCult™ NK Cell Base Medium prior to co-culture with K562 target cells. K562 cells were cultured in the absence of NK cells as a negative control. The average percent target killing by hPSC-derived NK cells at a 1:1 E/T ratio ranged between 46% and 62%. For degranulation and IFN-γ production experiments, hPSC-derived CD56+ NK cells were co-cultured with K562 targets for 6 hours at an E/T ratio of 1:3, or left unstimulated in the absence of target cells. Co-cultures were set up in the presence of CD107a antibody, and monensin was added after 1 hour of co-culture. Cultures were stained with GloCell™ Fixable Viability Dye Red 780 and an anti-human CD56 antibody at the end of co-culture. (B) To measure degranulation, surface CD107a was assessed using flow cytometry. IFN-γ production was assessed following fixation and permeabilization of cells and staining with an antibody specific to human IFN-γ (clone 4S.B3). (C) Representative flow plots and (D) quantification show gating on fluorescently labeled CD56+CD107a+ NK cells. Upon stimulation, hPSC-derived CD56+ NK cells are able to degranulate, as shown by surface expression of CD107a (56 - 66% for K562 stimulation) and secrete IFN-γ (18 - 27% for K562 stimulation). Data are shown as mean among 2 - 3 independent experiments.

Figure 4. Generation of hPSC-Derived Hematopoietic Lineages Cultured in STEMdiff™ APEL™2 in 2D

Figure 4. Generation of hPSC-Derived Hematopoietic Lineages Cultured in STEMdiff™ APEL™2 in 2D

STEMdiff™ APEL™2 Medium can be used to generate multiple hematopoietic lineages from hPSCs in 2D when supplemented with appropriate cytokines. For example, . used STEMdiff™ APEL™2 Medium plus cytokines to generate CD34+/KDR+/CDH5+ hemogenic endothelial cells (not shown) and downstream erythroblasts. (A) By Day 18 of differentiation, red-colored erythroblasts were observed, and (B) by Day 30, flow cytometry showed a high proportion of cells were GlyA+/CD71- , markers of a mature erythrocyte population. . used STEMdiff™ APEL™2 Medium, StemSpan™-ACF Erythroid Expansion Medium, and Iscove's MDM plus cytokines to generate CD34+/CD31+ hemogenic endothelial cells (not shown) and downstream megakaryocyte cells. (C) Flow cytometry at Day 16 of differentiation demonstrated a CD41a+/CD42b+ cell population, markers of megakaryocyte cells. (D) By Day 21 of differentiation, immunostaining revealed expression of megakaryocyte markers and morphology typical of pro-platelets, indicated by the arrow. Adapted from . and ., both available under a . In an alternative protocol, CD34+/CD45+ hematopoietic progenitors were generated by seeding hPSCs onto Matrigel® and culturing for 12 days in STEMdiff™ APEL™2 Medium supplemented with cytokines. On Day 12, hematopoietic progenitors were harvested from the culture supernatant, and cell counts and flow cytometry were performed. (E) Representative image of a hiPSCl line (WLS-1C) at Day 12 and (F) flow cytometry plot for hematopoietic progenitor markers CD34+CD45+. In this protocol, hematopoietic progenitors were generated from 3 cell lines; hESC line (H9) and hiPSC lines (SCTi003-A & WLS-1C). (G) Hematopoietic progenitor marker expression and (H) yield of live cells expressing CD34+CD45+ markers at Day 12 are shown.

Figure 5. Generation of hPSC-Derived Endothelial Cells Using STEMdiff™ APEL™2 Medium

Figure 5. Generation of hPSC-Derived Endothelial Cells Using STEMdiff™ APEL™2 Medium

hPSCs were plated at 50,000 cells/cm2 and cultured for 6 days in STEMdiff™ APEL™2 plus cytokines (BMP4, CHIR, VEGF) to generate endothelial cells based on the published . 2D protocol. On Day 6, cells were harvested, and cell counts and flow cytometry were performed. Endothelial differentiation was performed in 3 cell lines, one hESC line (H9) and two hiPSC lines (SCTi003-A and WLS-1C ). (A) Representative image and (B) flow cytometry data for endothelial markers CD31+CD144+ of H9 at Day 6. Cells were gated on singlets and viability. (C) Quantification of CD31+CD144+ cells and (D) yield of viable CD31+CD144+ cells per cm2.

Protocols and Documentation

Find supporting information and directions for use in the Product Information Sheet or explore additional protocols below.

Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
Lot #
Language
Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
05275, 05270
Lot #
All
Language
English
Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
05275, 05270
Lot #
All
Language
English

Applications

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.

Resources and Publications

Publications (22)

Platelets induce epithelial to mesenchymal transition in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells through TGF-β signaling pathway U. J. Rustiasari et al. Molecular Medicine 2025 Oct

Abstract

Management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a major challenge due limited therapeutic options to reverse fibrosis, which is a critical feature in CKD. Partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tubular epithelial cells (TECs) is a key driver of fibrosis, and has become an important focus for kidney protection strategies. Blood platelets, a major source of circulating transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), are implicated in pathogenesis of CKD, but their involvement in EMT and kidney fibrosis remains uncertain. Methods: We used two mouse models of renal fibrosis—diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO)—to examine the connection between platelets, partial EMT, and fibrosis. Platelet inhibition or depletion was performed to assess EMT, cell cycle arrest, and fibrosis. In vitro, platelets were applied to TECs and kidney organoids. To determine the role of TGF-β signaling, we used TGF-βRI inhibitor. Expression of EMT, and fibrosis markers, as well as TGF-β1 signaling, were analyzed using western blot, reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunostaining. Results: In both animal models, platelet inhibition or depletion resulted in reduced expression of cell cycle arrest marker p21, partial EMT and fibrosis. In vitro, activated platelets stimulated cell cycle arrest, EMT, and fibrosis in TECs and kidney organoids. Chronically injured TECs experience cell-cycle arrest which promote a paracrine EMT program in TECs, jointly leading to fibrosis. This platelet-mediated effect on cell cycle arrest and EMT was driven by TGF-β1 signaling, as selective inhibition of the TGF-β receptor rescued these dysfunctional phenotypes. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that platelets activate the TGF-β1 pathway, leading to cell cycle arrest, EMT and renal fibrosis. These findings suggest that antiplatelet therapies may have potential renoprotective effects by protecting tubular homeostasis, attenuating partial EMT and fibrosis.
Directly reprogrammed NK cells driven by BCL11B depletion enhance targeted immunotherapy against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma H-S. Kim et al. Journal of Hematology & Oncology 2025 Nov

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy characterized by desmoplastic stroma, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), and resistance to standard therapies. Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapies have shown limited efficacy due to impaired persistence, infiltration, and function in PDAC. Methods: We established a direct reprogramming strategy to generate cytotoxic NK cells (1 F-NKs) by targeting BCL11B, a transcription factor essential for T cell lineage commitment, using shRNA or CRISPR/Cas9 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). A genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screen identified tumor-intrinsic modulators of NK resistance. Functional and in vivo studies assesses the efficacy of 1 F-NKs alone and in combination with mesothelin (MSLN)-CAR engineering and PKMYT1 inhibition. Results: BCL11B depletion enabled the generation of CD56brightCD16bright 1 F-NKs with potent cytotoxicity and elevated NKG2D and CX3CR1 expression. Site-specific integration of a mesothelin (MSLN)-CAR into BCL11B locus generated MSLN-1 F-NKs with stable antigen specific activity. A genome-wide screen identified PKMYT1 as a modulator of tumor resistance to NK cell-mediated killing; its inhibition by RP6306 upregulated NKG2D ligands (MICA/B) and CX3CL1, sensitizing PDACs to 1 F-NK cytotoxicity. In PDAC xenograft models, 1 F-NKs alone or combined with CAR engineering and RP6306 significantly reduced tumor growth and prolonged survival. Notably, this triple combination elicited a synergistic antitumor effect, outperforming each monotherapy or dual combination. Conclusions: This study presents a synergistic immunotherapy platform that integrates NK reprogramming, CAR engineering, and tumor sensitization. The combinatorial approach significantly enhances antitumor efficacy in PDAC and offers a promising strategy for overcoming immune resistance in solid tumors.
Single cell transcriptomics of human kidney organoid endothelium reveals vessel growth processes and arterial maturation upon transplantation M. Koning et al. NPJ Regenerative Medicine 2025 Jul

Abstract

Kidney organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells lack a proper vasculature, hampering their applicability. Transplantation prevents the loss of organoid endothelial cells (ECs) observed in vitro, and promotes vascularization. In this study, we transplanted kidney organoids in chicken embryos and deployed single-cell RNA sequencing of ~12,000 organoid ECs to delineate their molecular landscape and identify key changes associated with transplantation. Transplantation significantly altered EC phenotypic composition. Consistent with angiogenesis, proliferating EC populations expanded 8 days after transplantation. Importantly, ECs underwent a major vein-to-arterial phenotypic shift. One of the transplantation-specific arterial EC populations, characterized by laminar shear stress response and Notch signalling, showed a similar transcriptome as human fetal kidney arterial/afferent arteriolar ECs. Consistently, transplantation-induced transcriptional changes involved proangiogenic and arteriogenic SOX7 transcription factor upregulation and regulon enrichment. These findings point to blood flow and candidate transcription factors such as SOX7 as possible targets to enhance kidney organoid vascularization. Subject terms: Nephrons, Transcriptomics, Angiogenesis, Angiogenesis, Stem cells, Stem-cell differentiation