Culture of human embryonic cells

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for culturing human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) with a lectin. The invention relates also to the use of a lectin in a method for culturing human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and a culture medium composition containing a lectin.

1 . A method for culturing human embryonal stem cells (hESCs) wherein a cell or a cell population is contacted with at least one lectin. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a cell or a cell population is contacted with at least one lectin and with a definitive serum- and feeder-free medium. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein a cell or a cell population is contacted with one lectin. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the lectin recognizes the structure (Fucα2) n Galβ4GlcNAc, wherein n is 0 or 1. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the lectin is ECA, galectin, or an essentially similar protein biotechnologically produced thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the definitive, serum- and feeder-free medium is StemPro® hESC SFM. 
     
     
         7 . A culture medium composition for culturing human embryonal stem cells (hESCs), wherein the composition comprises at least one lectin as a matrix. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7  wherein it comprises in addition to at least one lectin as a matrix, a definitive serum and feeder-free medium. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 7  or  8  wherein it comprises one lectin. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the lectin recognizes the structure (Fucα2) n Galβ4GlcNAc, wherein n is 0 or 1. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein the lectin is ECA, galectin, or an essentially similar protein biotechnologically produced thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 8  wherein the definitive, serum- and feeder-free medium is StemPro® hESC SFM. 
     
     
         13 . Use of one or more lectins in a method for culturing hESCs. 
     
     
         14 . The use of  claim 13  wherein one or more lectins is used as a matrix together with a definitive serum- and feeder-free medium. 
     
     
         15 . The use of  claim 13  or  14  wherein one or more lectins recognizes the structure (Fucα2) n Galβ4GlcNAc, wherein n is 0 or 1. 
     
     
         16 . The use of  claim 15  wherein at least one of the lectins is ECA, galectin, or an essentially similar protein biotechnologically produced thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The use of  claim 14  wherein the definitive, serum- and feeder-free medium is StemPro® hESC SFM.