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StemBeads Qkine activin A
StemBeads® Qkine activin A is a patented growth factor supplement that offers a novel way to culture activin A dependent cultures more efficiently, with greater control and fewer medium changes. Activin A can be use to maintain pluripotent stem cells as well differentiate them to different lineages such as endoderm.
StemBeads® revolutionary controlled-release protein technology combined with Qkine high purity and bioactivity animal origin-free growth factors and cytokines stabilizes growth factor levels for increased cell culture consistency and reproducibility.
Our robust animal origin-free manufacturing platform, along with rigorous quality control procedures, ensures exceptional bioactivity and consistent performance from lot to lot, guaranteeing outstanding performance in your applications.
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StemBeads Qkine activin A is a patented growth factor supplement that offers a novel way to culture activin A dependent cultures more efficiently, with greater control and fewer medium changes. StemBeads activin A are microbeads composed of FDA approved, biodegradable PLGA polymer that is loaded with Qkine recombinant human activin A (Qk001). Under the microscope, StemBeads will appear as small dark spheres. Over time, they break down while releasing the encapsulated protein at a controlled rate. Controlled delivery and stable levels of Activin A improve cell cultures while saving researchers valuable time and resources.
StemBeads are a revolutionary controlled-release growth factor technology. The StemBeads product is currently used for improved cell culture in more than 100 scientific laboratories globally. StemBeads technology encapsulates a growth factor in a PLGA hydrogel that stabilizes the protein and releases it steadily over several days. With growth factor levels stabilized, spontaneous differentiation is reduced, pluripotency is increased, and feeding schedules are reduced to only 2-3 times per week. StemBeads are added to your medium to achieve a desired growth factor release, sustained over several days. Following, the beads are washed from the culture, the medium is replaced, and the process repeated as required.
Activin A is frequently used for the maintenance of pluripotency of human induced pluripotent stem cells and human embryonic stem cell lines along with fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) [1, 2]. Activin A is also used in various stem cell differentiation protocols. It directs the differentiation into definitive endoderm, precursor to different cell types such as pancreatic and liver cells [3–6]. Activin A promotes neural precursor cells and drives astrocytic differentiation with Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) [7], it is also involved in mesodermal differentiation to derive muscle, bone, and blood cells.
[1] Pauklin, S. and Vallier, L. Activin/Nodal signalling in stem cells, Development (2015) doi: 10.1242/dev.091769.
[2] Vallier, L., Alexander, M. and Pedersen, R. A. Activin/Nodal and FGF pathways cooperate to maintain pluripotency of human embryonic stem cells. J. Cell Sci. (2005) doi: 10.1242/jcs.02553.
[3] D’Amour, K. A., Agulnick, A. D., Eliazer, S., Kelly, O. G., Kroon, E. and Baetge, E. E. Efficient differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to definitive endoderm. Nat. Biotechnol.(2005) doi: 10.1038/nbt1163.
[4] Andreasson, L., Evenbratt, H., Mobini, R. and Simonsson, S. Differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into definitive endoderm on Activin A-functionalized gradient surfaces. J. Biotechnol. (2021) doi: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2020.10.030.
[5] Ghorbani-Dalini, S. et al. Optimization of activin-A: a breakthrough in differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cell into definitive endoderm. Biotech (2020) doi: 10.1007/s13205-020-02215-3.
[6] Qiu, S. et al. An Efficient Method for the Differentiation of Human iPSC-Derived Endoderm toward Enterocytes and Hepatocytes. Cells (2021) doi: 10.3390/cells10040812.
[7] Arber, C. et al. Activin A directs striatal projection neuron differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells. Development (2015) doi: 10.1242/dev.117093.
FAQ
StemBeads® can be easily removed prior to analysis by washing 1-2 times with PBS, DMEM, F12 or any other basal medium preferred. For suspension cultures, there are a variety of strainer pore sizes to allow for separation. Cells cultured with StemBeads® have been used in a variety of downstream applications, including but not limited to: immunofluorescence, FACS, RNA/DNA extraction, nucleofection, differentiation etc.
The protein concentration can be adjusted based on the number of StemBeads® that you use. The release rate has a linear correlation with the amount of StemBeads® used. For example, 8 µl of StemBeads® per ml of media releases at a concentration of 10 ng/ml. However, if you desire half of that concentration, such as 5 ng/ml, then adjust the concentration to 4 µl of StemBeads® per ml media to achieve the concentration of 5 ng/ml.
With growth factor levels stabilized, spontaneous differentiation is reduced, pluripotency is increased, and feeding schedules are reduced to only 2-3 times per week. StemBeads are added to your medium to achieve a desired growth factor release, sustained over several days. Following, the beads are washed from the culture, the medium is replaced, and the process repeated as required.
No, this is not a problem or indication of cell quality. Extensive testing has been performed to access the cell quality when using StemBeads®. All phenotypic and functional assays have shown cell quality as good or better than current feeding regimens. For best assessment of cells, wash cells once prior to observation.
Activin A is a multifunctional protein. It is involved in regulating embryonic development, cell proliferation, and differentiation. It promotes the patterning and differentiation of various organs, including the development of the mesoderm, neural, and reproductive systems. It is also involved in maintaining homeostasis, regulating immune responses, and wound healing. Finally, it stimulates the release of follicle-stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland.
Activin A is a multifunctional protein. It is involved in regulating embryonic development, cell proliferation, and differentiation. It promotes the patterning and differentiation of various organs, including the development of the mesoderm, neural, and reproductive systems. It is also involved in maintaining homeostasis, regulating immune responses, and wound healing. Finally, it stimulates the release of follicle-stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland.
Activin A is a critical factor in stem cell culture, commonly used to maintain the pluripotency of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and human embryonic stem cells (ESCs). It is integral to various stem cell differentiation protocols, guiding the differentiation of the definitive endoderm, neural and mesodermal lineages. Activin A is also commonly utilized in the development and maintenance of organoids.
Activin A and inhibin A are closely related proteins in the TGF-β superfamily. They share structural similarities but have distinct functions and roles in regulating various physiological processes. Activin A has broader functions beyond reproduction, which include handling embryonic development, stem cell maintenance, and the immune system. Inhibin A, conversely, is more specifically associated with the feedback control of follicle-stimulating hormones in the context of reproductive physiology.
Activin A binds to activin type I (ALK4 or ALK7) and type II (ActRIIA or ActRIIB) receptors to activate downstream SMAD signalling.
Qkine products are intended solely for research purposes and ex vivo cell manufacturing. Not for therapeutic or diagnostic use.
