It just came cross my mind - if matrigel is derived from mice, would there be an effect on the human organoids that we are culturing/generating? If so, how can we measure the changes? is there a human version of matrigel?
Matrigel is quite established but it depends on the application. You can get Human Fibronectin, which I have used as an ECM and adhesion molecule layer to seed ECs in vessel on a chip applications. Equally there is an animal-free ECM called VitroGel.... I haven't personally used it but I have heard positive things from people that have. Alternatively I have used rat tail Type I Collagen for several years in immunological applications in organ on a chip and haven't noticed any increased cytokine release (usually a tell tail sign of a response) when running my PBMC/WB based assays compared to human based/other ECMs.
I hope this helps.
Hello Yiling Guo
Matrigel has several disadvantages:
1. It may cause batch-to-batch variation in cultured organoids.
2. Given its origin, there is also a potential risk of transmission of animal pathogens.
3. Matrigel is primarily composed of tumor ECM components which is substantially different from that of normal tissues. The tumor ECM-based Matrigel may not provide the tissue-specific microenvironment for the organoids.
4. Matrigel is originated from mouse cells which will hamper its use in human clinical transplantation due to potential immunogenicity.
Given these limitations, you may want to look at Matrigel-independent organoid culture methods. You may want to refer to the article attached below.
Article Towards organoid culture without Matrigel
Best.
Hello Ethan Perkins, can I ask you something about the Vitrogel, or can you help me contact people who are using it?
Thank you in advance
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