Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to the development of compositions, such as extracellular matrices, and processes for using the same, for culturing stem cells in vitro in an undifferentiated state. In this regard, it has been discovered that when pluripotent mouse and human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant laminin-10 (laminin-511) or laminin-5 (laminin-322), or their functional domains, the embryonic stem cells proliferated and maintained their pluripotency.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/883,406, filed on Jan. 4, 2007, which is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates, in various exemplary embodiments, generally to compositions and methods for enabling adhesion, proliferation and self-renewal maintenance of pluripotent, or undifferentiated, stem cells in vitro. These stem cells include embryonic stem cells, such as murine or human, and bone marrow stem cells. 
     A stem cell is an undifferentiated cell from which specialized cells are subsequently derived. Embryonic stem cells possess extensive self-renewal capacity and pluripotency with the potential to differentiate into cells of all three germ layers. They are useful for therapeutic purposes and may provide unlimited sources of cells for tissue replacement therapies, drug screening, functional genomics and proteomics. (Skottman, H., Dilber, M. S., and Hovatta, O. (2006); The derivation of clinical-grade human embryonic stem cell lines; FEBS Lett 580, 2875-2878). 
     Murine pluripotent embryonic cells can be maintained in a pluripotent state in in vitro cell culture conditions in the presence of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF). (Williams R L, Hilton D J, Pease S, Willson T A, Stewart C L, Gearing D P, Wagner E F, Metcalf D, Nicola N A, Gough N M (1988); Myeloid leukemia inhibitory factor maintains the developmental potential of embryonic stem cells, Nature 1988 Dec. 15; 336(6200):684-7). 
     Additionally, murine pluripotent embryonic cells can be maintained in a pluripotent state in vitro when cultured on mouse embryonic fibroblasts as feeder cells. Human embryonic cells also require feeder cells for maintenance in a pluripotent state in vitro or differentiation inhibitors like Noggin and/or high doses of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) when cultured on Matrigel™ (see for review: Skottman, H., Dilber, M. S., and Hovatta, O. (2006); The derivation of clinical-grade human embryonic stem cell lines; FEBS Lett 580, 2875-2878). However, the use of feeder cells has a number of drawbacks. For example, feeder cells can contain pathogens, such as viruses that can infect the stem cells (Hovatta, O., and Skottman, H. (2005); Feeder-free derivation of human embryonic stem-cell lines; Lancet 365, 1601-1603; Skottman, H., Dilber, M. S., and Hovatta, O. (2006); The derivation of clinical-grade human embryonic stem cell lines; FEBS Lett 580, 2875-2878). 
     Feeder-free systems that support human embryonic stem cell self-renewal require either i) Matrigel™ (Richards, M., Fong, C. Y., Chan, W. K., Wong, P. C., and Bongso, A. (2002); Human feeders support prolonged undifferentiated growth of human inner cell masses and embryonic stem cells; Nat Biotechnol 20, 933-936); (Xu, C., Inokuma, M. S., Denham, J., Golds, K., Kundu, P., Gold, J. D., and Carpenter, M. K. (2001); Feeder-free growth of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells; Nat Biotechnol 19, 971-974); (Xu, R. H., Peck, R. M., Li, D. S., Feng, X., Ludwig, T., and Thomson, J. A. (2005); Basic FGF and suppression of BMP signaling sustain undifferentiated proliferation of human ES cells; Nat Methods 2, 185-190); or, ii) mouse feeders-derived extracellular matrix (Klimanskaya, I., Chung, Y., Meisner, L.; Johnson, J., West, M. D., and Lanza, R. (2005); Human embryonic stem cells derived without feeder cells; Lancet 365, 1636-1641) as adhesive substrata. However, these coatings are of xenogenic origin and therefore cannot be used in clinics according to FDA requirements (Hovatta, O., and Skottman, H. (2005); Feeder-free derivation of human embryonic stem-cell lines; Lancet 365, 1601-1603). These coatings also fail to fulfill criteria of defined system and non-immunogenicity, importance of which is discussed in (Hovatta, O., and Skottman, H. (2005); Feeder-free derivation of human embryonic stem-cell lines; Lancet 365, 1601-1603; Skottman, H., Dilber, M. S., and Hovatta, O. (2006); The derivation of clinical-grade human embryonic stem cell lines; FEBS Lett 580, 2875-2878). 
     During mammalian embryonic development, a fertilized oocyte first divides into two cells, followed by another cell duplication to generate a four-cell embryo. At the four-cell stage, the embryonic cells are bound together with the help of cell membrane proteins and also the molecules of a new connective tissue (extracellular matrix). The first extracellular matrix molecules to appear are basement membrane proteins, such as laminin and proteoglycan (Cooper, A. R., and MacQueen, H. A. (1983); Subunits of laminin are differentially synthesized in mouse eggs and early embryos; Dev Biol 96, 467-471) (Dziadek, M., and Timpl, R. (1985); Expression of nidogen and laminin in basement membranes during mouse embryogenesis and in teratocarcinoma cells; Dev Biol 111, 372-382). Subsequently, the embryonic cells start to differentiate into the three germ cell layers; ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm, with initiation of morphogenesis. The extracellular matrix molecules, such as laminins are responsible for interactions with cell surface receptors, thus regulating cell behavior such as adhesion, proliferation, migration and differentiation (Colognato, H., and Yurchenco, P. D. (2000); Form and function: the laminin family of heterotrimers; Dev Dyn 218, 213-234), while other extracellular matrix components such as collagens of types I, II, III or IV primarily serve a mechanical supportive function (Aumailley, M., and Gayraud, B. (1998); Structure and biological activity of the extracellular matrix; J Mol Med 76, 253-265). 
     Extracellular matrix derived from murine fibroblasts, in combination with soluble differentiation inhibitors may be an adequate replacement for feeder cells (Klimanskaya, I., Chung, Y., Meisner, L., Johnson, J., West, M. D., and Lanza, R. (2005); Human embryonic stem cells derived without feeder cells; Lancet 365, 1636-1641), which demonstrates the critical role of extracellular matrix molecules. Laminins are large trimeric extracellular matrix proteins that are composed of alpha, beta, and gamma chains. There exist five different alpha chains, three beta chains and three gamma chains that in mouse and human tissues have been found in at least fifteen different combinations (Colognato, H., and Yurchenco, P. D. (2000); Form and function: the laminin family of heterotrimers; Dev Dyn 218, 213-234); (Aumailley, M., Bruckner-Tuderman, L., Carter, W. G., Deutzmann, R., Edgar, D., Ekblom, P., Engel, J., Engvall, E., Hohenester, E., Jones, J. C., et al. (2005); A simplified laminin nomenclature; Matrix Biol 24, 326-332). These molecules are termed laminin-1 to laminin-15 based on their historical discovery, but an alternative nomenclature describes the isoforms based on their chain composition, e.g. laminin-111 (laminin-1) that contains alpha-1, beta-1 and gamma-1 chains (laminin nomenclature: (Aumailley, M., Bruckner-Tuderman, L., Carter, W. G., Deutzmann, R., Edgar, D., Ekblom, P., Engel, J., Engvall, E., Hohenester, E., Jones, J. C., et al. (2005); A simplified laminin nomenclature; Matrix Biol 24, 326-332)). 
     Notwithstanding the above, there continues to be a need for providing compositions and methods for culturing and growing embryonic stem cells. In this regard, providing compositions and methods for enabling the proliferation and survival of pluripotent stem cells in vitro without use of differentiation inhibitory agents such as LIF or feeder cells would be advantageous. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to the development of compositions, such as extracellular matrices, and processes for using the same, for culturing stem cells in vitro in an undifferentiated state. Preferably, the stem cells are embryonic stem cells, such as murine or human embryonic stem cells. However, the present disclosure also includes the use of bone marrow stem cells as well. 
     It has been found that certain laminins provide a defined and suitable extracellular matrix for the growth and proliferation of undifferentiated mouse and human embryonic stem cells in vitro. This is absent any feeder cells and/or differentiation inhibitors. For example, it has been discovered that when pluripotent mouse embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant laminin-10 (laminin-511) or laminin-5 (laminin-332), the embryonic stem cells proliferate and maintain their pluripotency even in an absence of differentiation inhibitors. 
     Also, it has been found that when pluripotent human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant laminin-10 (laminin-511) in a chemically defined medium, such as an analog of mTeSR1, the cells can proliferate and maintain their pluripotency even in an absence of differentiation inhibitors. 
     These and other non-limiting features of the present disclosure are discussed in more detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following is a brief description of the drawings, which are presented for the purposes of illustrating the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein and not for the purposes of limiting the same. 
         FIG. 1   a  is a graph showing the proliferation of mouse embryonic stem cells on laminins (LN), Matrigel™ (MG), gelatin (GEL) and poly-D-lysine (PL). Cells expanded on LN-332 and LN-511 for up to at least 169 days during which about 150 doublings in cell number occurred. In contrast, the cells did not self-renew on LN-111, LN-411, gelatin or poly-D-lysine.  FIG. 1   b  is a graph showing magnification of days 1-20 in  FIG. 1   a , showing that the cells proliferated to a certain limit on LN-111, LN-411, Matrigel™ and gelatin, but proliferation ceased within 1-2 weeks. The cells attached poorly to poly-D-lysine. 
         FIG. 2  is a photograph of RT-PCR showing the expression of pluripotency markers (Sox2, Oct4), proliferation marker (Tert) and differentiation markers (alpha-fetoprotein, brachyury, nestin and vimentin) in mouse embryonic stem cells cultured on laminins-111, -312, -411, -511, Matrigel™, gelatin and poly-D-lysine in absence on any differentiation factors or differentiation inhibitors for up to 145 days. 
         FIGS. 3   a - 3   d  relate to a series of color photomicrographs (Immunofluorescence (×40)) demonstrating mouse embryonic stem cell self-renewal effect on laminins-332 and -511.  FIG. 3   a  is directed to photomicrographs of immunofluorescence staining against pluripotency markers Oct4 and Sox2. Embryonic stem cells cultured in presence of LIF (control+LIF) express pluripotency marker Oct4 and Sox2 (control). After culturing on laminin-332 or laminin-511 in absence of LIF or any other differentiation inhibitor for 169 days, embryonic stem cells continue to express Oct4 and Sox2. It is noteworthy that after culturing for only 11 days on laminin-111 or on Matrigel™, embryonic stem cells cease to express Oct4 and Sox2.  FIG. 3   b  relates to photomicrography showing similar data of immunofluorescence staining against pluripotency marker Nanog.  FIG. 3   c  shows similar data of immunofluorescence staining against pluripotency marker UTF1.  FIG. 3   d  is directed to photomicrographs of immunofluorescence staining against pluripotency marker Oct4 and differentiation marker Collagen IV. 
         FIG. 4  is a series of color photomicrographs (Immunofluorescence (×40)) demonstrating the mechanism of mouse embryonic stem cell pluripotency maintenance when cultured on laminin-511 in absence of LIF or any other differentiation inhibitor. Embryonic stem cells cultured on laminin-511 in absence of differentiation inhibitors for 80 days, plated at cell density 180 cell/mm 2 . Photomicrographs were taken in intervals: 1 hour, 3 hours, 1 day, 2 days and 3 days. Pluripotency marker Sox2 is expressed at the same level though during first 2 days. Embryonic stem cells are not in contact with each other, but only contact laminin-511. 
         FIG. 5   a  is a graph showing adhesion of pluripotent mouse embryonic stem cells to different coating surfaces: laminin-111 (LN-111), laminin-332 (LN-332), laminin-411 (LN-411), laminin-511 (LN-511), Matrigel (MG), gelatin (GEL) and poly-D-lysin (PL). Values are shown as percentage of attached cells±standard deviation (STD).  FIG. 5   b  is a graph showing spreading of pluripotent ESCs adhered to different coating surfaces. The area of cells that adhered to a certain coating was calculated as a measure of spreading efficacy. The areas are depicted as average relative areas±standard deviation (STD).  FIG. 5   c  is a series of four (4) micrographs showing embryonic stem cells adherent to different laminins after 1 hour incubation. Crystal violet staining, magnification (×5/×40). As indicated, laminin-332 and -511, unlike laminins-111 or -411, are highly adhesive for embryonic stem cells. 
         FIG. 6  is a photograph of a chimeric mouse derived from mouse embryonic stem cells cultured on laminin-511 for 3 months in absence of feeders and any differentiation inhibitors. 
         FIG. 7  is a microphotograph (phase contrast) of human embryonic stem cells on plates coated with recombinant laminin-10 (laminin-511) in a chemically defined medium after 105 days of feeder-free culturing. 
         FIG. 8  is a photograph of RT-PCR showing the expression of pluripotency markers (Oct4, Nanog), internal control (GAPDH) and differentiation markers (alpha-fetoprotein, brachyury, Sox1 and Pax6) in human embryonic stem cells cultured on laminin-10 (laminin-511) in the chemically defined medium for 105 days (LN-511, 20 passages) and on human foreskin fibroblasts (control) in the conventional medium. Here, hGADPH, hOct4, hNanog, hBrach, hAFP, hSox1 and hPax6 stand for GAPDH, Oct4, Nanog, brachyury, alpha-fetoprotein, Sox1 and Pax6, respectively. 
         FIG. 9  contains a series of color microphotographs (immunofluorescence) demonstrating human embryonic stem cell self-renewal effect on laminins-511. After culturing on laminin-511 in the chemically defined media for 105 days (20 passages), human embryonic stem cells continue to express pluripotency markers Oct4 (green) and Sox2 (red) (LN-511, 20 passages). Human embryonic stem cells cultured on human foreskin fibroblasts in the conventional medium also express pluripotency markers Oct4 and Sox2 (control). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It has been found that when pluripotent mouse embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant human laminin-5 (laminin-332) or laminin-10 (laminin-511) in the presence of mitogenic factor bFGF (10 ng/ml) and in the absence of any differentiation inhibitors, the cells proliferate and maintain their pluripotency for at least 140 days (23 passages) ( FIG. 1   a ,  FIG. 6 ). Expression of pluripotency markers, such as Oct4, TERT, Sox2, Nanog and UTF1 ( FIG. 2 ,  FIGS. 3   a - 3   d ,  FIG. 4 ), and the proliferation rate ( FIG. 1   a ), also remained stable. Furthermore, it was noted that the adhesion of embryonic cells to laminin-5 or laminin-10 molecules correlated with ability of the latter to sustain embryonic cells cell self-renewal ( FIGS. 5   a - 5   c ). 
     In contrast, when the mouse embryonic stem cells were cultured under the same conditions on plates coated with mouse (EHS) laminin-1 (laminin-111), laminin-8 (laminin-411), Matrigel™ or gelatin, the pluripotent cells ceased proliferation after 1-2 weeks ( FIG. 1   b ). They differentiated, or detached, or died. Additionally, cells cultured under these conditions on laminin-111 or Matrigel™ start to express differentiation markers such as collagen IV and brachyury and cease expression of pluripotency markers Oct4, Sox2, Nanog or UTF1 ( FIG. 2 ,  FIGS. 3   a - 3   d ). 
     Also, it has been found that when pluripotent human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant human laminin-10 (laminin-511) in chemically defined medium, the cells proliferate and maintain their pluripotency for at least 105 days (20 passages) ( FIGS. 7-9 ). Expression of pluripotency markers, such as Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog, and the proliferation rate, also remained stable. 
     The present disclosure will further be illustrated in the following non-limiting working examples, it being understood that these examples are intended to be illustrative only and that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the materials, conditions, process parameters and the like recited herein. All proportions are by weight unless otherwise indicated. 
     Methods 
     Cell Culture 
     Mouse embryonic stem cells (two lines were used: line GSI-1 derived from 129SvJ mice, provided by Uppsala University Transgenic Facility and line RW4) were cultured on extracellular matrix coatings in medium containing 80% Dulbecco&#39;s modified Eagle&#39;s medium (DMEM), containing GlutaMax-1 and 4.5 g/liter glucose, 20% embryonic cells qualified fetal serum, 1% penicillin, 1% streptomycin, 10 mM Hepes buffer, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, non-essential aminoacids (all provided by Invitrogen), 0.1 mM beta-mercaptoethanol (Sigma) and 10 ng/ml beta fibroblast-growth factor (bFGF) (Chemicon) at 37° C., 5% CO 2 . Embryonic cells were plated upon extracellular matrix coatings in initial density of 300 cells/mm 2 . Cells were split once in 4-6 days by 0.05% trypsin-EDTA solution and plated at cell density of 180 cells/mm 2 . Embryonic cells were cultured as two separate lines on each coating. Cells were counted during each passage using hematocytometer. 
     Human embryonic stem cells (two lines were used: HS420 and HS207, both kindly provided by Prof. Hovatta, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Sweden) were cultured on plates coated with recombinant laminin-10 (laminin-511) in the chemically defined medium, analog of mTeSR1. The medium was prepared as described in (Ludwig, T. E., Bergendahl, V., Levenstein, M. E., Yu, J., Probasco M. D. and Thomsom, J. A. (2006); Feeder-independent culture of human embryonic stem cells; Nat Methods 8, 637-646) with several exceptions. Firstly, recombinant human FGF basic (R@DSystems) was used instead of zbFGF and albumin from bovine serum (SIGMA-Aldrich, B4287) was used instead of BSA fraction V. Secondly, Insulin-Transferrin-Selenium Supplement (Invitrogen) added in already made medium was used as a source of the elements instead of the method described in the article. The human embryonic stem cells were passages in clumps at 4-6 days intervals by exposure to TrypLE™ Express (GIBCO). The cells were subjected to the enzyme for 2 minutes at room temperature, then washed 2 times with the medium, followed by gentle scraping to collect. Big clumps of the cells were broken by gentle pipetting and 1:3 passaged. 
     Control human embryonic stem cells were maintained on human foreskin fibroblasts in the conventional medium as described in (Inzunzaa, J., Gertow, K., Strömberg, M., A., Matilainen, E., Blennow, E., Skottman, H., Wolbank, S., Ährlund-Richter, L. and Hovatta, O. (2005); Derivation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines in Serum Replacement Medium Using Postnatal Human Fibroblasts as Feeder Cells. Stem Cells 2005; 23:544-549). The cells were mechanically passaged by cutting the colony to eight pieces using a scalpel under the stereo microscope. Mechanical splitting was carried out at 6-day intervals. Nondifferentiated cells, as judged by morphology, were chosen for each further passage. 
     Plate Coating 
     96-well tissue cell culture plates (Sarstedt) were coated overnight at 4° C. by sterile solutions of extracellular matrix proteins: murine laminin-111 (Invitrogen), human recombinant laminin-332, human recombinant laminin-411 (Kortesmaa, J., Yurchenco, P., and Tryggvason, K. (2000); Recombinant laminin-8 (alpha(4)beta(1)gamma(1)). Production, purification, and interactions with integrins. J Biol Chem 275, 14853-14859, U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,907), human recombinant laminin-511 (Doi, M., Thyboll, J., Kortesmaa, J., Jansson, K., Iivanainen, A., Parvardeh, M., Timpl, R., Hedin, U., Swedenborg, J., and Tryggvason, K. (2002); Recombinant human laminin-10 (alpha5beta1gamma1); Production, purification, and migration-promoting activity on vascular endothelial cells. J Biol Chem 277, 12741-12748; U.S. Pat. No. 6,933,273), all in concentration 30 ug/ml (5 ug/mm 2 ), growth factor-depleted Matrigel™ (1:30) (BD Biosciences), bovine gelatin 1 mg/ml (Sigma), 0.1 mg/ml poly-D-lysine (Sigma). 
     Cell Adhesion Assays 
     Attachment assay was performed as described ([Extracellular Matrix Protocols, 2000). Briefly, MaxiSorp 96-well plates (Nunc) coated by extracellular matrix proteins as described above and blocked by 1% heat-denatured BSA solution. Undifferentiated embryonic cells were plated at cell density of 800 cell/mm 2  upon extracellular matrix-coated plates and were left to adhere for 1 hour at 37° C. Non-adherent cells were washed away, and adherent cells were fixed for 20 min by 5% glutaraldehyde, stained by 0.1% Crystal Violet. 
     RT-PCR: 
     Total RNA was isolated using Absolutely RNA Microprep Kit (Stratagene) according to the manufacturer&#39;s instructions from both mouse and human samples. cDNA was synthesized using 0.2 ug of total RNA in 20 ul reaction mixture, containing oligo(dT)12-18 primers and Superscript II reverse transcriptase (Invitrogen), according to the manufacturer&#39;s instructions). To compensate for variable cDNA yields, the amount of cDNA for each PCR reaction was calibrated by using expression level of the housekeeping gene GADPH as a standard. Amounts of cDNA yielding equivalent amount of GADPH PCR product (at 20 cycles, data not shown) were used for subsequent PCR reactions. cDNAs were amplified using primers from Table 1 for mouse samples and from Table 2 for human samples. All PCR reactions were run for 30 cycles (including those GADPH PCRs which are shown on pictures) and were performed in 20 μl under standard conditions using 1 U of Taq DNA Polimerase Recombinant (Invitrogen). The PCR products were analyzed on a 1.5% agarose gel containing ethidium bromide. 
     For each RNA sample, RT-PCR without reverse transcriptase was performed to confirm that no genomic DNA was isolated. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Primers for RT-PCR (mouse samples) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Product 
                 Ta, 
               
               
                 Gene 
                 Forward primer 
                 Reverse primer 
                 size (bp) 
                 (C) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Oct-4 
                 AGGCCCGGAAGAGAAAGCGAACTA 
                 TGGGGGCAGAGGAAAGGATACAGC 
                 266 
                 64 
               
               
                   
                 (SEQ ID NO: 1) 
                 (SEQ ID NO: 2) 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Sox-2 
                 GTGGAAACTTTTGTCCGAGACC 
                 TGGAGTGGGAGGAAGAGGTAAC 
                 551 
                 60 
               
               
                   
                 (SEQ ID NO: 3) 
                 (SEQ ID NO: 4) 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 TERT 
                 CTGCGTGTGCGTGCTCTGGAC 
                 CACGTCAGCAAACAGCTTGTTCTC 
                 498 
                 64 
               
               
                   
                 (SEQ ID NO: 5) 
                 (SEQ ID NO: 6) 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 GADPH 
                 GTGGAGATTGTTGCCATCAACGACC 
                 GGCTAAGCAGTTGGTGGTGCAGGA 
                 393 
                 64 
               
               
                   
                 (SEQ ID NO: 7) 
                 (SEQ ID NO: 8) 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Vimentin 
                 CAAGGGTGAGTAGAGAGTTCGGG 
                 TATAACACTGTTAGGAAAGAGGGTC 
                 226 
                 60 
               
               
                   
                 (SEQ ID NO: 9) 
                 (SEQ ID NO: 10) 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Nestin 
                 CGGCCCACGCATCCCCCATCC 
                 CAGCGGCCTTCCAATCTCTGTTCC 
                 259 
                 64 
               
               
                   
                 (SEQ ID NO: 11) 
                 (SEQ ID NO: 12) 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Brachyury 
                 GCTCATCGGAACAGCTCTCCAACC 
                 GGAGAACCAGAAGACGAGGACGTG 
                 320 
                 64 
               
               
                   
                 (SEQ ID NO: 13) 
                 (SEQ ID NO: 14) 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 AFP 
                 GTTTTCTGAGGGATGAAACCTATGCC 
                 CGCCCAAAGCATCACGAGTTTTGG 
                 285 
                 64 
               
               
                   
                 (SEQ ID NO: 15) 
                 (SEQ ID NO: 16) 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 GATA4 
                 GGCCCCTCATTAAGCCTCAGCGC 
                 GCAGGACCTGCTGGCGTCTTAGAT 
                 250 
                 64 
               
               
                   
                 (SEQ ID NO: 17) 
                 (SEQ ID NO: 18) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
                                           TABLE 2                   Primers for RT-PCR (human samples)                        Product   Ta,       Gene   Forward primer   Reverse primer   size (bp)   (C)               Oct-4   CGACCATCTGCCGCTTTGAG   CCCCCTGTCCCCCATTCCTA   573   61           (SEQ ID NO: 19)   (SEQ ID NO: 20)                       Nanog   AGCATCCGACTGTAAAGAATCTTCAC   CGGCCAGTTGTTTTTCTGCCACCT   433   61           (SEQ ID NO: 21)   (SEQ ID NO: 22)                       GADPH   GAAGGTGAAGGTCGGAGTCA   TTCACACCCATGACGAACAT   402   59           (SEQ ID NO: 23)   (SEQ ID NO: 24)                       Pax6   AACAGACACAGCCCTCACAAAC   CGGGAACTTGAACTGGAACTGAC   275   61           (SEQ ID NO: 25)   (SEQ ID NO: 26)                       AFP   CTTTGGGCTGCTCGCTATGA   TGGCTTGGAAAGTTCGGGTC   175   59           (SEQ ID NO: 27)   (SEQ ID NO: 28)                       Brachyury   GAAGGTGGATCTCAGGTAGC   CATCTCATTGGTGAGCTCCTT   251   59           (SEQ ID NO: 29)   (SEQ ID NO: 30)                       Sox1   CTCACTTTCCTCCGCGTTGCTTCC   TGCCCTGGTCTTTGTCCTTCATCC   849   61           (SEQ ID NO: 31)   (SEQ ID NO: 32)                    
Immunofluorescence:
 
     For immunofluorescence embryonic cells were fixed in 96-well plate wells by 4% paraformaldehyde, permeabilized by 0.1% Triton-X and blocked by 10% bovine fetal serum (Invitrogen) in 0.1% Tween-20 (Sigma) PBS for 1 hour. Incubation with primary antibody was performed for 1.5 hours at room temperature. Primary antibody against following mouse antigens were used: Oct4 (from BD Biosciences), Sox2, UTF, Nanog, Collagen IV (all from Millipore). Primary antibody against following human antigens were used: Oct4 and Sox2 (both from R@DSystems). Incubation with secondary antibody (Alexa-488- and Alexa 546-labeled, Molecular probes) with DAPI (Molecular probes) was performed for 40 min. Between incubations specimens were washed with 0.1% Tween-20 in PBS three to five times, 10 min for each wash. Specimens were preserved in fluorescence mounting medium (Dako) and observed under fluorescent microscope (Leica). 
     Chimeric Mice: 
     After culturing for 95 days (17 passages) on laminin-511 and on laminin-332 mouse embryonic stem cells were expanded on mouse embryonic fibroblasts in presence of LIF and injected into C57BI mice blastocysts (procedure was performed in Karolinska Center for Transgene Technologies, Karolinska institute, Stockholm). Ethical permission #246/05 issued in Sep. 29, 2005 to Karl Tryggvason by the local ethical committee for experimental animal research. 
     Results 
     A. Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Cultured on Laminins-511 or -332 Proliferate and Remain Pluripotent in Absence of Feeders or LIF or Any Other Differentiation Inhibitors 
     On laminin-511 and on laminin-332, mouse embryonic stem cells were found to remain pluripotent in absence of LIF or any other differentiation inhibitor for at least 140 days. See  FIG. 1 . 
     Proliferation: Proliferation rate of mouse embryonic stem cells cultured on Laminin-332 and -511 in absence of LIF/MEFs remained stable and same (high) during the whole duration of experiment. See  FIG. 1   a, b . From day 40 to day 80 doubling time equals 1.2 days. 
     RT-PCR markers: Pluripotency markers Sox2, Oct4 and proliferation marker Tert were expressed at same extent by mouse embryonic stem cells cultured on laminins-332 and -551 in absence of LIF for 145 days, as pluripotent embryonic stem cells cultured on LIF. See  FIG. 2 . 
     Immunofluorescence: The embryonic stem cells expressed pluripotency markers like Oct4, Sox2, UTF1 and Nanog at same extent as embryonic stem cells grown in presence of LIF. See  FIG. 3   a, b, c, d.    
     Morphology: Morphology of embryonic stem cells cultured on Laminin-332 and -511 differed significantly from embryonic stem cells cultured on MEFs or gelatin in presence of LIF. Embryonic stem cells cultured on MEFs or gelatine in presence of LIF formed dense clusters with sharp, defined borders. However, embryonic stem cells cultured on laminin-332 and -511 first spread over extracellular matrix coating forming monolayer, and only after that start forming layers. Nonetheless, expression of pluripotency markers Oct4 and Sox2 is not reduced. See  FIG. 4 . 
     In vivo (chimeric mice): mouse embryonic stem cells (line GSI-1) after 95 days (17 passages) of culturing on laminin-332 and of laminin-511 in absence of feeder cells or LIF or any other differentiation inhibitors were able to form chimeric mice. To verify that the mouse embryonic stem cells cultured on Laminin-511 or Laminin-332 in absence of feeder cells or differentiation inhibitors were pluripotent, cells maintained for 95 days (17 passages) were injected into mouse blastocysts that were subsequently implanted into pseudopregnant mice. This led to the generation of chimeric mice ( FIG. 6 ) demonstrating that the cells were indeed pluripotent. Mouse embryonic stem cells (line RW4) also generated chimeric mice after 11 passages on laminin-511 or laminin-332 in absence of feeder cells or differentiation inhibitors. 
     B. Adhesion Correlates with Mouse Embryonic Stem Self-Renewal 
     It has been found that the ability of certain extracellular matrix components to support mouse embryonic stem cells self-renewal correlates with adhesion. Undifferentiated embryonic stem cells adhere strongly to laminin-332 and laminin-511 ( FIGS. 5   a  and  5   c ). Average surface area of adherent embryonic stem cells on those laminins is 2.7 times higher than that of weakly attached embryonic stem cells ( FIG. 5   b ). Adhesion of embryonic stem cells to laminin-111, Matrigel™, gelatin was not strong. Weak or no adhesion of embryonic stem cells to laminin-411, poly-D-lysine was observed. Student&#39;s two-tailed test reveals that difference between adhesion and surface area for laminin-511 and laminin-332 is statistically different from all other coatings (p-value below 5%). 
     C. Human Embryonic Stem Cells Cultured on Laminins-511 Proliferate and Remain Pluripotent in Chemically Defined Medium in Absence of Feeders 
     On laminin-511, human embryonic stem cells were found to remain pluripotent in chemically defined medium for at least 105 days (20 passages). 
     Morphology: Morphology of human embryonic stem cells cultured on Laminin-511 was very similar to that found for human embryonic stem cells cultured on Matrigel™ (Bendall, S. C., Stewart, M. H., Menendez, P., George, D., Vijayaragavan, K., Werbowetski-Ogilvie, T., Ramos-Mejia, V., Rouleau, A., Yang, J., Bossé, M., Lajoie, G. and Bhatia, M. (2007); IGF and FGF cooperatively establish the regulatory stem cell niche of pluripotent human cells in vitro. Nature, Aug. 30, 2007; 448(7157):1015-21) or extracellular-matrix-coated plates (Klimanskaya, I., Chung, Y., Meisner, L., Johnson, J., West, M. D. and Lanza, R. (2005); Human embryonic stem cells derived without feeder cells. Lancet. May 7-13, 2005; 365(9471):1601-1603). See  FIG. 7 . But, unlike the two coatings mentioned above, recombinant human laminin-511 can be produced according to FDA requirements as a xeno-free, defined and nonimmunogenic compound and subsequently used in clinic. 
     RT-PCR markers: Pluripotency markers Oct4 and Nanog were expressed at same extent by human embryonic stem cells cultured on laminins-551 in the chemically defined medium for 105 days, as pluripotent embryonic stem cells cultured on human fibroblast foreskin in the conventional medium. See  FIG. 8 . 
     Immunofluorescence: Human embryonic stem cells expressed pluripotency markers like Oct4 and Sox2 at same extent as embryonic stem cells grown in conventional environment. See  FIG. 9 . 
     While particular embodiments have been described, alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents that are or may be presently unforeseen may arise to applicants or others skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims as filed and as they may be amended are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents.