Effects of DMSO on the Pluripotency of Cultured Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (mESCs)

DMSO is a commonly used solvent in biological studies, as it is an amphipathic molecule soluble in both aqueous and organic media. For that reason, it is the vehicle of choice for several water-insoluble substances used in research. At the molecular and cellular level, DMSO is a hydrogen-bound disru...

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Main Authors: Maria Inês Sousa, Bibiana Correia, Ana Filipa Branco, Ana Sofia Rodrigues, João Ramalho-Santos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-01-01
Series:Stem Cells International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8835353
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author Maria Inês Sousa
Bibiana Correia
Ana Filipa Branco
Ana Sofia Rodrigues
João Ramalho-Santos
author_facet Maria Inês Sousa
Bibiana Correia
Ana Filipa Branco
Ana Sofia Rodrigues
João Ramalho-Santos
author_sort Maria Inês Sousa
collection DOAJ
description DMSO is a commonly used solvent in biological studies, as it is an amphipathic molecule soluble in both aqueous and organic media. For that reason, it is the vehicle of choice for several water-insoluble substances used in research. At the molecular and cellular level, DMSO is a hydrogen-bound disrupter, an intercellular electrical uncoupler, and a cryoprotectant, among other properties. Importantly, DMSO often has overlooked side effects. In stem cell research, the literature is scarce, but there are reports on the effect of DMSO in human embryoid body differentiation and on human pluripotent stem cell priming towards differentiation, via modulation of cell cycle. However, in mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) culture, there is almost no available information. Taking into consideration the almost ubiquitous use of DMSO in experiments involving mESCs, we aimed to understand the effect of very low doses of DMSO (0.0001%-0.2%), usually used to introduce pharmacological inhibitors/modulators, in mESCs cultured in two different media (2i and FBS-based media). Our results show that in the E14Tg2a mESC line used in this study, even the smallest concentration of DMSO had minor effects on the total number of cells in serum-cultured mESCs. However, these effects could not be explained by alterations in cell cycle or apoptosis. Furthermore, DMSO did not affect pluripotency or differentiation potential. All things considered, and although control experiments should be carried out in each cell line that is used, it is reasonable to conclude that DMSO at the concentrations used here has a minimal effect on this particular mESC line.
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spelling doaj-art-850c3fd76c714f1eb5772ecbca72aa762025-08-20T02:08:40ZengWileyStem Cells International1687-966X1687-96782020-01-01202010.1155/2020/88353538835353Effects of DMSO on the Pluripotency of Cultured Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (mESCs)Maria Inês Sousa0Bibiana Correia1Ana Filipa Branco2Ana Sofia Rodrigues3João Ramalho-Santos4Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, PortugalDepartment of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, PortugalCNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, PortugalCNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, PortugalDepartment of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, PortugalDMSO is a commonly used solvent in biological studies, as it is an amphipathic molecule soluble in both aqueous and organic media. For that reason, it is the vehicle of choice for several water-insoluble substances used in research. At the molecular and cellular level, DMSO is a hydrogen-bound disrupter, an intercellular electrical uncoupler, and a cryoprotectant, among other properties. Importantly, DMSO often has overlooked side effects. In stem cell research, the literature is scarce, but there are reports on the effect of DMSO in human embryoid body differentiation and on human pluripotent stem cell priming towards differentiation, via modulation of cell cycle. However, in mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) culture, there is almost no available information. Taking into consideration the almost ubiquitous use of DMSO in experiments involving mESCs, we aimed to understand the effect of very low doses of DMSO (0.0001%-0.2%), usually used to introduce pharmacological inhibitors/modulators, in mESCs cultured in two different media (2i and FBS-based media). Our results show that in the E14Tg2a mESC line used in this study, even the smallest concentration of DMSO had minor effects on the total number of cells in serum-cultured mESCs. However, these effects could not be explained by alterations in cell cycle or apoptosis. Furthermore, DMSO did not affect pluripotency or differentiation potential. All things considered, and although control experiments should be carried out in each cell line that is used, it is reasonable to conclude that DMSO at the concentrations used here has a minimal effect on this particular mESC line.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8835353
spellingShingle Maria Inês Sousa
Bibiana Correia
Ana Filipa Branco
Ana Sofia Rodrigues
João Ramalho-Santos
Effects of DMSO on the Pluripotency of Cultured Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (mESCs)
Stem Cells International
title Effects of DMSO on the Pluripotency of Cultured Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (mESCs)
title_full Effects of DMSO on the Pluripotency of Cultured Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (mESCs)
title_fullStr Effects of DMSO on the Pluripotency of Cultured Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (mESCs)
title_full_unstemmed Effects of DMSO on the Pluripotency of Cultured Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (mESCs)
title_short Effects of DMSO on the Pluripotency of Cultured Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (mESCs)
title_sort effects of dmso on the pluripotency of cultured mouse embryonic stem cells mescs
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8835353
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