Patent ID: 6617161
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: A61K,C12N

Abstract:
A method of maintaining a cartilaginous phenotype in chondrocytes in vitro comprising contacting a culture comprising chondrocytes, which have not lost and subsequently re-expressed a cartilaginous phenotype, with a serum-free cell growth medium comprising about a 1:1 ratio (v/v) of two basal cell culture media, said medium containing effective cell growth-promoting concentrations of &agr;-ketoglutarate, insulin, transferrin, selenium, bovine serum albumin, linoleic acid, ceruloplasmin, cholesterol, phosphatidylethanolamine, &agr;-tocopherol acid succinate, reduced glutathione, taurine, triiodothyronine, hydrocortisone, parathyroid hormone, L-ascorbic acid 2-sulfate, &bgr;-glycerophosphate, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bEGF) and at least one morphogenetic protein selected from the group consisting of cartilage-derived morphogenetic proteins and bone morphogenetic proteins, whereby a cartilaginous phenotype is maintained in said chondrocytes in vitro.