Recombinant Fibronectin and Vitronectin for Stem Cell Culture: Expanded Expression Systems from EastMabBio

In stem cell research, organoid culture, and cell therapy, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins have become essential components of cell culture systems, supporting cell adhesion, proliferation, and functional maintenance.

Among these, Fibronectin (FN), Vitronectin (VTN), and Laminin (LN) are widely used ECM proteins for cell attachment, expansion, and the development of specialized stem cell culture systems.

To better meet customer requirements across different expression platforms, application scenarios, and supply needs, EastMabBio has expanded its recombinant expression systems for Fibronectin (FN) and Vitronectin (VTN), introducing a new CHO expression system for FN and a new E. coli expression system for VTN.

These additions provide researchers with more flexibility in selecting recombinant ECM proteins for cell culture and process development.

01. FN and VTN: Key Adhesion Matrix Proteins in Cell Culture

Fibronectin (FN)

Fibronectin (FN) is a widely distributed glycoprotein in the extracellular matrix. It mediates cell adhesion primarily through integrin α5β1, promoting cell spreading, migration, and extracellular matrix remodeling.

Key Applications

Recombinant fibronectin is suitable for:

• MSC culture and expansion

• Adherent cell culture

• Stem cell maintenance and expansion

• Cell adhesion and proliferation studies

• Improving viral transduction efficiency in specific cell culture systems

• Cell therapy-related culture processes

Key Advantage: Fibronectin provides strong support for cell attachment and spreading, making it particularly suitable for culture systems that require efficient adhesion, rapid cell spreading, or the investigation of cell migration.

Vitronectin (VTN)

Vitronectin (VTN) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein found primarily in blood plasma and certain extracellular matrix environments. It mediates cell adhesion through integrins such as αvβ5 and αvβ1, supporting stem cell attachment, colony formation, and the maintenance of pluripotency.

Key Applications

Recombinant vitronectin is suitable for:

• Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) culture

• Human embryonic stem cell (hESC) culture

• Stem cell maintenance and expansion

• Cell attachment and adhesion

• Serum-free cell culture systems

Key Advantage: Vitronectin offers a chemically defined alternative to complex animal-derived matrix components, with the potential to improve batch-to-batch consistency. It is particularly suitable for standardized culture systems requiring stable long-term maintenance of pluripotent stem cell characteristics.

02. Expanded Expression Systems: From HEK293 to CHO and E. coli

To accommodate diverse customer requirements regarding protein origin, application, and manufacturing scale, EastMabBio continues to optimize its recombinant protein expression platforms.

Recombinant Fibronectin: New CHO Expression System

Building on the existing HEK293 expression system, EastMabBio has introduced a new CHO expression system for recombinant fibronectin.

Produced using a stable CHO monoclonal cell line, the new FN product offers manufacturing scalability and improved batch-to-batch consistency.

This expansion provides an additional option for researchers seeking recombinant fibronectin to support rapid and uniform cell attachment in cell culture applications.

Recombinant Vitronectin: New E. coli Expression System

Building on the existing HEK293 expression system, EastMabBio has introduced a new E. coli expression system for recombinant vitronectin.

Leveraging the scalability and manufacturing efficiency of the E. coli platform, this new expression system enables increased production capacity and more cost-effective manufacturing.

The expanded platform provides customers with greater flexibility in selecting recombinant vitronectin according to their application requirements and supply considerations.

03. Experimental Validation

Recombinant Fibronectin (Y13102H): High Biological Activity Without Pre-Coating

The new recombinant fibronectin Y13102H demonstrates biological activity comparable to that of Y13142H.

It can be added directly to cell culture media without requiring pre-coating, helping simplify experimental workflows and reduce handling steps.

MSC Adhesion Assay

Both EastMabBio fibronectin products (Catalog No. Y13142H and Y13102H) demonstrated excellent cell adhesion activity in MSC adhesion assays.

• ED50 ≤ 0.4 μg/mL

• Demonstrated strong cell adhesion activity compared with tested competitor products.

MSC Serial Passaging

EastMabBio recombinant fibronectin can be added directly to culture media to support continuous MSC passaging.

During passages P6–P8, MSCs maintained their characteristic mesenchymal stem cell morphology, with no significant signs of cellular senescence observed under the tested conditions.

Recommended working concentration: 0.5–2 μg/mL. The optimal concentration should be determined according to the cell type and experimental conditions.

Recombinant Vitronectin (Y04821HL): Excellent Adhesion Activity for iPSC Culture

In iPSC adhesion assays, recombinant vitronectin Y04821HL demonstrated excellent cell adhesion activity, with an ED₅₀ of 0.2–1 μg/mL, comparable to that of international competitor products.

Serum-Free and Xeno-Free Culture Performance

Vitronectin products Y04821HL and Y04842L were evaluated as coating substrates for ESC passaging under serum-free or serum-replacement culture conditions.

The results demonstrated that cells maintained normal attachment and proliferation through four consecutive passages (P4), while retaining characteristic stem cell colony morphology without obvious differentiation.

Recommended working concentration: 1–5 μg/mL. The optimal concentration should be determined according to the cell type and experimental conditions.

04. Customized Technical Support from EastMabBio

EastMabBio provides dedicated technical support and customized services to meet the specific needs of each customer.

For experimental validation data, customized product specifications, or business inquiries, please contact our team.

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Conclusion

Extracellular matrix proteins play a critical role in supporting cell adhesion, proliferation, and functional maintenance in advanced cell culture systems.

Fibronectin and vitronectin offer complementary advantages for MSC expansion, pluripotent stem cell culture, and the development of serum-free cell culture platforms.

By expanding its recombinant expression systems to include CHO-expressed fibronectin and E. coli-expressed vitronectin, EastMabBio provides researchers with greater flexibility in product selection, manufacturing scale, and supply options.

With validated biological activity and dedicated technical support, EastMabBio continues to support the development of reliable and scalable ECM-based cell culture solutions for stem cell research, organoid technology, and cell therapy applications.