METHODS OF HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL GROWTH

摘要

The present invention is partly based on the seminal discovery that human embryonic stem cell (hESC) growth can be supported using a conditioned medium (CM) from SDEC cells, where the CM has reduced level of sFRP-1. In addition, such hESC growth can be supported using a Type I collagen (COL I) biomatrix. Provided are compositions for hESC growth including condition medium with reduced level of secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (sFRP-1). Also provided are methods to enhance hESC growth and methods to reduce sFRP-1 protein levels. Methods of screening cell lines for reduced sFRP-1 levels and compounds that can specifically overcome sFRP-1 antagonism or promote wnt/ß-catenin agonism are also provided.