Creative Biolabs strives to transition iPSC technology into safe, effective and consistent therapies for various diseases and cancers effecting populations worldwide. Based on our extensive experience, now we can provide the teratoma formation assays to characterize the pluripotency of iPSCs for our customers all over the world.
Derived from various adult somatic cell types via the introduction of four specific transcription factors: OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have the ability to differentiate into derivatives of all three germ layers and show great potential in fields ranging from regenerative medicine to disease modeling. The teratoma always means a nonmalignant tumor which comprised of a disorganized cell mixture and small tissues containing cells from all three embryonic germ-layers. With any iPSC lines, it is necessary to confirm pluripotency and characterize the cell lines before the following downstream regulation experiments. Teratoma formation is an essential criterion not only for determining the pluripotency but also for assessing the tumorigenic potential of human iPSCs. Now Creative Biolabs has built a standard protocol for teratoma assay based on subcutaneous co-transplantation of human iPSCs with mitotically inactivated feeder cells and Matrigel into immunodeficient mice.
Fig.1 Schematic of teratoma formation. (Mohseni, R. 2014)
Studies have shown that the transplantation of iPSCs in an immunodeficient mouse will spontaneously differentiate to form a teratoma comprised of all three germ layers: endodermal, mesodermal, and ectodermal. As the most consistent property of iPSCs is the formation of teratomas, it has been served as the gold standard for evaluating pluripotency. The teratoma formation is strongly dependent on the sites of engraftment, including testis, liver, kidney capsule, hind leg muscle and the subcutaneous space. Based on the special needs of our customers, we can inject the iPSCs in different sites of immunodeficient mice. After the excision and fixation, the pluripotency can be determined by the presence of all three germ layers from the histology sections of the teratoma.
Fig.2 Paraffin embedded tissue sections from a mouse iPSC teratoma are stained with hematoxylin and eosin. (Zhang, W.Y. 2008)
(Alternative: Cryopreservation of teratomas for immunofluorescence staining.)
(Alternative: Analyzing samples using immunofluorescence staining.)
As a well-recognized expert in the field of iPSC generation and applications, Creative Biolabs is always dedicated to assisting our clients with the most satisfactory teratoma formation service. Moreover, we can also provide various services regarding iPSC technology, please do not hesitate to contact us for more details if you are interested in our services.
References
For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.
