Lu J.Hou R.Booth C.J.SHIH-HUNG YANGSnyder M.2020-03-172020-03-1720060027-8424https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33645804391&doi=10.1073%2fpnas.0601383103&partnerID=40&md5=317da5fad1b6f76b094af5fab73075ebhttps://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/476356Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are pluripotent cells that have the potential to differentiate into any tissue in the human body; therefore, they are a valuable resource for regenerative medicine, drug screening, and developmental studies. However, the clinical application of hESCs is hampered by the difficulties of eliminating animal products in the culture medium and/or the complexity of conditions required to support hESC growth. We have developed a simple medium [termed hESC Cocktail (HESCO)] containing basic fibroblast growth factor, Wnt3a, April (a proliferation-inducing ligand)/BAFF (B cell-activating factor belonging to TNF), albumin, cholesterol, insulin, and transferrin, which is sufficient for hESC self-renewal and proliferation. Cells grown in HESCO were maintained in an undifferentiated state as determined by using six different stem cell markers, and their genomic integrity was confirmed by karyotyping. Cells cultured in HESCO readily form embryoid bodies in tissue culture and teratomas in mice. In both cases, the cells differentiated into each of the three cell lineages, ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm, indicating that they maintained their pluripotency. The use of a minimal medium sufficient for hESC growth is expected to greatly facilitate clinical application and developmental studies of hESCs. ? 2006 by The National Academy of Sciences of the USA.[SDGs]SDG3albumin; APRIL protein; basic fibroblast growth factor; cholesterol; insulin; transferrin; Wnt3a protein; article; cell differentiation; cell growth; cell lineage; cell proliferation; controlled study; culture medium; drug screening; ectoderm; embryonic stem cell; endoderm; human; human cell; karyotyping; mesoderm; pluripotent stem cell; priority journal; regenerative medicine; teratoma; Biological Markers; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Division; Culture Media; Cytokines; Embryo; Humans; Karyotyping; Pluripotent Stem Cells; Animaliajournal article10.1073/pnas.0601383103165956242-s2.0-33645804391