Volz, A. C., Hack, L., Atzinger, F., & Kluger, P. J. (2018). Completely defined co-culture of adipogenic differentiated adipose-derived stem cells and microvascular endothelial cells. ALTEX-Alternatives to animal experimentation.
DOI 10.14573/altex.1802191.

In this study,  a serum-free, defined co-culture medium (CoM) was developed and implemented to an adipocyte-endothelial cell (EC) co-culture model. Human adipose-derived stem cells were differentiated under defined conditions (diffASCs) and, like human microvascular ECs (mvECs), cultured in a developed defined co-culture medium in mono-, indirect or direct co-culture for 14 days. The developed defined co-culture medium was superior to compared mono-culture media and facilitated the functional maintenance and maturation of diffASCs including perilipin A expression, lipid accumulation and glycerol and leptin release. The medium equally allowed mvEC maintenance, confirmed by the expression of CD31 and vWF and acLDL uptake. Thereby mvECs showed a strong dependency on EC-specific factors. Additionally the development of vascular structures by mvECs was facilitated when directly co-cultured with diffASCs. The completely defined co-culture system allows for the serum-free setup of adipocyte/EC co-cultures. 

THe precise formulation of the defined adipocytes-EC co-culture medium (CoM)  is not present. The composition of CoM was developed based on defined mono-culture media for adipocytes, ACM, (Volz and Kluger, 2018) or ECs (ECgrowth medium).  CoM was based on ECbasal medium (ECBM), whereby additional adipocyte-and EC-specific factors,like growth factors, hormones and vitamins were added. The development of ECBM is described in  Volts et al. 2018.

Volz, A.-C. and Kluger, P. J. (2018) Completely serum-free and chemically defined adipocyte development and maintenance Cytotherapy2018,doi:10.1016/j.jcyt.2018.01.004X