How does Cultrex® Basement Membrane Extract (BME) promote cell differentiation?

Name: Cultrex Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Extract, PathClear, with Phenol Red
Brand: R&D Systems
SKU: 3433-010-01P

All epithelial and endothelial cells are in contact with a basement membrane matrix on at least one of their surfaces. By providing them with their natural matrix in vitro as a substrate for the cells that provides biological cues, the cells can assume a more physiological morphology (i.e. correct shape) and begin expression of cell-lineage specific proteins. Two-dimensional plastic surfaces, in combination with serum-containing media, cause cells to flatten, proliferate and de-differentiate.

Cultrex Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Extract, PathClear, with Phenol Red

R&D Systems, part of Bio-Techne | Catalog # 3433-010-01P

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Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Extract

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Product Summary
Product Specifications
Kit Contents
Preparation & Storage
Background
Product Documents

Key Product Details

Features

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
Quality controlled for peformance consistency

Species

Mouse

Product Summary

Why Use Cultrex RGF BME?

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.

Product Specifications

Source

Murine Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) tumor

Protein Concentration

8-12 mg/mL as determined by Lowry assay

Endotoxin Level

≤ 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.

Kit Contents

Cultrex Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Extract (RGF BME)
Phenol Red

Formulation, Preparation, and Storage

Shipping

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.

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.

Background: Basement Membrane Extracts

Basement membrane extract (BME) is a type of extracellular matrix (ECM) derived from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcomas. BME is commonly used in cell culture and tissue engineering to provide a 2-D or 3-D scaffold for cells, allowing them to grow, differentiate, and interact in an environment that closely mimics the native ECM. This makes BME invaluable for modeling the behavior of cells in vivo. All Cultrex BME formulations are rigorously tested to ensure performance, quality, and lot-to-lot consistency.