I am culturing primary murine islet cells, however, I am not sure about whether I should use heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum or fetal bovine serum.
Some researchers tend to use heat inactivated FBS as default. The publications reporting the use of heat inactivated FBS may be because of that. Since many others have cultured these cells in medium containing normal FBS, I would assume it is safe to follow the suit. If you are still double minded, grow your cells in media containing non or heat inactivated FBS and see if either supports the growth of your cells better than other and then stick to it.
Thanks for your suggestions. Sorry my question probably sounded a bit stupid and confusing, but I have made a correction.
I have looked up a few literature, however, some used HI-FBS but some just FBS. So I am confused whether FBS needs to be heat-inactivated or not specifically on murine islet cell culture and I would like to know what everyone else is doing and why.
I have also looked up some explanations such as HI is to deactivate complements and mycoplasmas. Some researchers from another discussion also claimed that using HI-FBS may have harmful effect on the growth factor protein in the serum.
In my point of view, heat-inactivation is not necessary for islet culture. However, I still could see some literature using HI-FBS. That's why I am a bit confused with my thinking and hopefully there is someone out there could tell me their experience about it.
Some researchers tend to use heat inactivated FBS as default. The publications reporting the use of heat inactivated FBS may be because of that. Since many others have cultured these cells in medium containing normal FBS, I would assume it is safe to follow the suit. If you are still double minded, grow your cells in media containing non or heat inactivated FBS and see if either supports the growth of your cells better than other and then stick to it.
Sued Ali gave you a good suggestion, I.e., to grow your cells of interest in medium in the presence of heat inactivated and non heat inactivated FBS, and check for their relative growth efficiencies.