Cultrex Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Extract (RGF BME) is an extracellular matrix hydrogel that has been used extensively in general cell culture applications to study cell attachment, proliferation, and invasion. It is ideal for cultures that require limited reduced growth factor conditions.
Key Benefits:
Ideal for general cell culture application
Reduced growth factor formulation provides a more defined culture system
Polymerizes at 37°C to form a reconstituted basement membrane
Cultrex Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Extract (RGF BME) is a soluble form of basement membrane purified from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) tumor. It is processed to reduce matrix-associated growth factors to provide a matrix that can be used to create a more defined model system. This extract provides a natural extracellular matrix hydrogel that polymerizes at 37°C to form a reconstituted basement membrane. Cultrex RGF BME can be used in multiple applications, including maintaining growth or promoting differentiation of primary endothelial, epithelial, smooth muscle, stem cells, and organoid/3-D cell cultures. It can also be utilized in cell attachment, neurite outgrowth, angiogenesis, in vitro cell invasion, and in vivo tumorigenicity assays.
Basement membranes are continuous sheets of specialized extracellular matrix that form an interface between endothelial, epithelial, muscle, or neuronal cells and their adjacent stroma and that play an essential role in tissue organization by influencing cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. The major components of BME include laminin, collagen IV, entactin, and heparin sulfate proteoglycans.
≤ 8 EU/mL by Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay
Sterility Testing
No bacterial or fungal growth detected following 14 days in culture
Cell Culture Testing
Tube Formation Assay - Cultrex RGF BME supports formation of capillary-like structures by human (HBMVEC; HUVEC) or mouse (SVEC4-10) endothelial cells in a tube formation assay.
Viral Testing
Tested negative by PCR test for a total of 31 organisms and viruses, including: mycoplasma, 17 bacterial and virus strains typically included in mouse antibody production (MAP) testing, and 13 additional murine infectious agents including LDEV.
Preparation & Storage
Stability
Product is stable for at least two years from date of manufacture when stored at ≤ -70 °C. See lot specific Certificate of Analysis for expiration date.
Shipping Conditions
The components for this kit may require different storage/shipping temperatures and may arrive in separate packaging. Upon receipt, store products immediately at the temperature recommended on the product labels.
Storage
Store the unopened product at -20 to -70 °C. Use a manual defrost freezer and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.