Review Article

Ex Vivo Expansion of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Defined Serum-Free Media

Table 1

Constituents of serum [Adapted from [112]].

Range ofRange of
ConstituentconcentrationConstituentconcentrationa

Proteins and polypeptides40–80 mg/mLPolyamines:0.1–1.0 μM
 Albumin20–50 mg/mL Putrescine, Spermidine
 Fetuinb10–20 mg/mL
 Fibronectin1.0–10 μg/mLUrea170–300 μg/mL
 Globulins1.0–15 mg/mL
 Protease inhibitors:0.5–2.5 mg/mLInorganics0.14–0.16 M
αl-antitrypsin, Calcium4.0–7.0 mM
α2-macroglobulin Chlorides100 μM
 Transferrin2.0–4.0 mg/mL Iron10–50 μM
 Potassium5.0–15 mM
Growth factors: Phosphate2.0–5.0 mM
 EGF, PDGF, IGF1 and 2,1.0–100 ng/mL Selenium0.01 μM
 FGF, IL-1, IL-6 Sodium135–155 mM
 Zinc0.1–1.0 μM
Amino acids0.01–1.0 μM
Hormones0.1–200 nM
Lipids2.0–10 mg/mL Hydrocortisone10–200 nM
 Cholesterol10 μM Insulin1.0–100 ng/mL
 Fatty acids0.1–1.0 μM Triiodothyronine20 nM
 Linoleic acid0.01–0.1 μM Thyroxine100 nM
 Phospholipids0.7–3.0 mg/mL
Vitamins0.01–10 μg/mL
Carbohydrates1.0-2.0 mg/mL Vitamin A10–100 ng/mL
 Glucose0.6–1.2 mg/mL Folate5.0–20 ng/mL
 Hexosamine0.6–1.2 mg/mL
 Lactic acid0.5–2.0 mg/mL
 Pyruvic acid2.0–10 μg/mL

aThe range of concentrations is approximate and is intended to convey only the order of magnitude.
bIn fetal serum only.