What Is Gibco Vitronectin and How Is It Used?

Gibco Vitronectin is a specialized, recombinant protein product designed for biological research, specifically for growing cells in a laboratory setting. As a recombinant version of a human protein, it offers a high degree of purity and consistency for scientific experiments. This product serves as a surface coating that helps cells attach and grow outside the body.

The Vitronectin Protein Explained

Vitronectin is a glycoprotein, a type of protein bonded to carbohydrates, that is naturally present in the bloodstream and embedded within the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is the complex network of molecules surrounding the body’s cells, providing structural and biochemical support. Vitronectin is primarily produced by the liver and circulates in the blood, but it is also found in various tissues where it helps anchor cells to the matrix.

This protein plays several roles in the body. One of its main functions is to facilitate cell adhesion, the process by which cells attach to each other and to the ECM. This attachment is fundamental for cell migration, growth, and maintaining tissue structure. Vitronectin contains a specific three-amino-acid sequence known as Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD), which acts as a docking site for cell surface receptors called integrins, directly mediating cell attachment.

Gibco Vitronectin for Cell Culture

Gibco Vitronectin is a laboratory-grade, recombinant form of human vitronectin produced using biotechnology rather than being isolated from human or animal sources. It is a truncated version of the protein, which is a shortened, yet functional, fragment. This manufacturing process results in a highly pure and defined product for controlled scientific experiments.

In the lab, Gibco Vitronectin is used as a coating material for plastic dishes and flasks. Before scientists place cells into a dish, they apply a thin layer of the vitronectin solution to the surface. This coating mimics the natural extracellular matrix, creating a surface that encourages cells to attach and proliferate in a manner more representative of their behavior inside the body.

Research Applications of Gibco Vitronectin

The most prominent use of Gibco Vitronectin is in human pluripotent stem cell (PSC) research. Pluripotent stem cells, including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), can develop into any cell type in the body. Maintaining these cells in their undifferentiated state is a challenge in the lab, and Gibco Vitronectin provides a defined surface that supports the long-term growth of PSCs without causing them to differentiate prematurely.

PSCs cultured on this vitronectin product can be maintained for over 50 passages without developing chromosomal abnormalities, a common issue in long-term cell culture. These cells retain their capacity to differentiate into all three primary germ layers—the foundational cell layers that give rise to all tissues and organs. This makes the product valuable for studies focused on directed differentiation, where scientists guide PSCs to become specific cell types like neurons or heart cells for disease modeling and drug discovery.

Key Advantages in Scientific Studies

Gibco Vitronectin creates a “xeno-free” culture environment, meaning the system is free of non-human-derived components. This is important for research intended for clinical translation, as using animal-derived materials like mouse feeder cells or basement membrane extracts (BMEs) introduces risks of contamination and immune reactions if the cells are later used in human therapies.

The product’s recombinant nature ensures high lot-to-lot consistency, a benefit for reproducibility. Natural substrates can have significant batch-to-batch variability, making it difficult to obtain consistent results across experiments. By providing a defined, unchanging surface, the product reduces this variability, leading to more reliable scientific outcomes and giving researchers greater control over their experimental environment.