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Enabling Research Success with Optimized Primary Cell Culture Media

June 13, 2025 / by Lifeline® Cell Technology

Obtaining high-quality primary cells is only half the equation for experimental success. Equally important is the use of optimized cell culture media that can preserve the biological and functional integrity of those cells in vitro. Unlike immortalized cell lines, primary cells have a limited lifespan in culture and are more sensitive to suboptimal conditions, making the choice of media especially critical.

Lifeline® Cell Technology offers a range of cell culture media kits specifically formulated to support the growth and function of a variety of primary cell types, including (but not limited to) endothelial, epithelial, fibroblast, and stem cells. Lifeline® media is formulated without antimicrobials or phenol red—additives known to cause cellular stress, which can interfere with experimental readouts.

Below, we highlight a selection of peer-reviewed publications demonstrating how Lifeline’s media solutions have helped researchers uncover new insights in oncology, cardiovascular disease, oral health, and more.

The role of blood flow dynamics on tumor-immune cell interactions

Wan and colleagues used Lifeline®’s human dermal microvascular endothelial cells cultured in VascuLife® VEGF Endothelial Medium and dermal fibroblasts cultured in FibroLife® S2 Fibroblast Medium to develop microfluidic model of the tumor microenvironment to study how fluid dynamics influence immune cell extravasation.

Using engineered microvascular networks (MVNs) exposed to transmural flow, the authors found that endothelial cells—but not fibroblasts—upregulated PD-L1 expression. This upregulation suppressed T cell activity and was dependent on integrin αVβ3. Their findings reveal a novel biophysical mechanism contributing to immune suppression in tumors and suggest new therapeutic targets for cancer immunotherapy.

Drug repurposing: breast cancer drug can reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk

Repurposing FDA-approved drugs for new uses can help reduce the high costs, failure rates, and long drug development times. Zhang et al. used Lifeline® primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human artery endothelial cells (HAECs) cultured in VascuLife® VEGF Endothelial Medium to identify therapeutic candidates for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

Through an in silico Connectivity Map analysis, the team pinpointed neratinib—an FDA-approved breast cancer drug—as a promising anti-inflammatory agent. Functional evaluation in HUVECs confirmed that neratinib reduced endothelial inflammation via ASK1 inhibition, highlighting its potential to complement lipid-lowering therapies and address residual inflammatory risk in ASCVD.

Development of a long-term bioreactor-based 3D gingival model system for host–microbiome studies

Adelfio and colleagues developed a long-term 3D oral tissue model (OTM) using Lifeline® oral stromal and keratinocyte cells cultured in FibroLife® and DermaLife® media, respectively. Integrated into a bioreactor system that mimics salivary flow and mechanical stimulation, the model­­, when inoculated with patient-derived subgingival microbiota, supports sustained host–microbiome interactions. Relative abundance analysis confirmed the presence of key oral genera, including Peptostreptococcus, Streptococcus, Veillonella, Neisseria, Campylobacter, Fusobacterium, Capnocytophaga, and Prevotella, indicating the model’s ability to sustain a diverse and representative oral microbiome over time.

This in vitro platform enables investigation of microbial dynamics, inflammation, and oral hygiene interventions—offering a powerful tool for periodontal disease research and therapeutic development.

Lifeline® Cell Technology Media Products

Developed using a quality-first approach, Lifeline® has been supplying global researchers with high-quality cell and media products for over twenty years. Our catalog includes media for:

Vascular Cells

Skin Cells

Airway Cells

Fibroblast Cells

Fat Cells

Urinary Cells

Eye Cells

Prostate Cells

Mammary & Reproductive Cells

Blood Cells

Stem Cells

Other Kits

Be sure to join us here on the blog next month, where we will highlight Lifeline® cells and media products being used in real-world research.

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