I am working through the challenges of cell isolation from the rat heart. I am using VSMC media and endothelial cell media. In a homogeneous mixture of cells, would these media favor only the growth of the 1 cell type that they are optimized for? For example, I know endothelial cells require specific hormone factors which other media lacks. Or would other cells proliferate just as well in these media? For example, vsmcs in endothelial cell medium or fibroblasts etc.
I find it difficult to believe that with some type of basal medium you are able to select a specific cell type without any other stimulus. For example, I don't think you can prevent the growth and proliferation of fibroblasts just by using a basal medium. It is one thing to favor the growth of a specific type, and quite another to select it. I have always had to use additional processes to select cells (for example, differential adhesion, explant clearance or differential toxicity). Only in some cases where the cells are very isolated you can culture directly on basal medium, but the risk of another cell type growing is always there.
I hope I have understood you well and helped you.
All the best
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