Amsbio has reported positive feedback from researchers using the Cultrex range of basement membrane extracellular matrix (ECM) in 3D culture.
The researchers were also positive about the use of a range of other applications involving the promotion of cell growth, cellular differentiation and the study of cancer cell behaviour.
Prof Brett M Hall, an assistant professor of paediatrics at Ohio State University's School of Medicine, said: 'After comparing head-to-head Cultrex BME [basement membrane ECM] and BD Biosciences Matrigel BME, the Cultrex equalled or exceeded BD's Matrigel BME product in our 3D tumour growth assay [TGA].
'Cultrex BME has a higher average BME concentration and superior lot-to-lot consistency with respect to tumour cell growth in the 3D TGA,' he added.
Henry Lopez, president of Murigenics, said: 'We have used Cultrex in all of our in-vitro [endothelial cell tube formation and stem cell differentiation], ex-vivo [aortic explant outgrowth and salivary gland organ differentiation] and in-vivo assays [subcutaneous angiogenesis and tumour growth promotion] where it has worked well with highly reproducible findings.' The Cultrex BME is a soluble form of basement membrane purified from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) tumour.
The extract gels at +37C to form a reconstituted basement membrane.
The major components of the BME include laminin I, collagen IV, entactin and heparin sulphate proteoglycan.
The BME can be used for the promotion and maintenance of a differentiated phenotype in a variety of cell cultures including primary epithelial cells, endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells.
It has been employed in angiogenesis assays and tumour cell invasion assays and as a vehicle to augment the tumorigenicity of injected tumour cells in nude mice.
The many applications for the Cultrex BME require different thicknesses and concentrations.
Multi-purpose Cultrex BME is available in concentrations ranging from 12mg/ml to 17mg/ml and is qualified for angiogenesis, tumorigenicity assays, migration, growth, differentiation and neurite outgrowth assays.
It is available either reduced or non-reduced in growth factors and with or without phenol red.
All four standard BME types and speciality BME matrices are available in trial sizes to enhance testing convenience.
Each lot of BME has passed sterility testing following the USP XXIV chapter 71 sterility test and is negative for mycoplasma by PCR.
Cultrex BME Pathclear is a sterile BME for bacterial and fungal growth according to the USP XXIV chapter 71 sterility test.
It has also been tested and cleared for mycoplasma as well as 31 other pathogens and viruses including Lactate Dehydrogenase Elevating Virus (LDEV).
