Organoids are three-dimensional in vitro structures that simulate the architecture and function of real organs. Derived from stem cells or pluripotent cells, these self-assembling models replicate the cellular diversity and functional complexity of tissues. Organoids advance research in developmental biology, disease mechanisms, drug discovery, and personalized medicine by providing physiologically relevant systems to study human biology.
The WNER cytokine combination (Wnt-3a, Noggin, EGF, and R-Spondin 1) is the gold standard for culturing diverse organoids, including gastric, intestinal, hepatic, pancreatic, mammary, and prostate models. These cytokines synergistically support stem cell self-renewal, proliferation, and tissue-specific differentiation.
Cytokine Roles and Applications
|
Cytokine |
Key Functions |
Supported Organoids |
|
R-Spondin 1 |
Activates Wnt/β-catenin via Lgr5, promoting stem cell expansion and organoid growth. |
Gastric, intestinal, liver, lung, pancreatic, prostate, mammary |
|
Wnt-3a |
Drives β-catenin-dependent Wnt signaling to maintain stemness and proliferation. |
Gastric, intestinal, liver, pancreatic, retinal |
|
EGF |
Stimulates epithelial growth and angiogenesis via ErbB receptor activation. |
Gastric, intestinal, liver, pancreatic, prostate, mammary |
|
Noggin |
Inhibits BMP signaling to sustain stem cell pools and enable long-term organoid culture. |
Gastric, intestinal, liver, lung, pancreatic, prostate, mammary, fallopian tube |
- R-Spondin 1 (RSPO1)
Function: Secreted Wnt signaling enhancer that drives stem cell renewal and organoid expansion.
Key Mechanisms:
• Binds Lgr5 (stem cell marker) to amplify Wnt/β-catenin signaling
• Stabilizes β-catenin, activating pro-proliferation genes (c-myc, Cyclin D1)
• Antagonizes BMP signaling to sustain Lgr5⁺ stem cell potency
Applications: Essential for stomach, intestinal, liver, and breast organoid cultures.
- Wnt-3A
Function: Primary activator of canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Key Mechanisms:
• Binds Frizzled/LRP5/6 receptors to stabilize β-catenin
• Triggers nuclear TCF/LEF transcriptional activity
• Synergizes with EGF/Noggin for long-term organoid maintenance
Applications: Critical for intestinal, brain, and liver organoid proliferation.
- EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor)
Function: ErbB receptor ligand promoting epithelial development.
Key Mechanisms:
• Induces EGFR dimerization → activates MAPK/PI3K pathways
• Suppresses apoptosis in intestinal crypt-villus structures
Applications: Vital for intestinal organoid growth and glioma stem cell.
- Noggin
Function: Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist critical for balancing Wnt signaling in stem cell niches.
Key Mechanisms:
• Binds and neutralizes BMP4/7, disrupting BMP-PTEN-β-catenin inhibitory axis
• Releases Wnt pathway suppression, amplifying β-catenin-dependent signals
• Sustains Lgr5 stem cell marker expression for organoid longevity
Applications: Essential for long-term cultures of liver, intestinal, and fallopian tube organoids.
- Synergistic Signaling Network
RSPO1-Wnt3A-EGF-Noggin collaborate to mimic in vivo stem cell microenvironments:
1. RSPO1 + Wnt3A reinforce Wnt/β-catenin-driven proliferation
2. EGF activates survival pathways, countering apoptosis
3. Noggin blocks BMP-mediated Wnt inhibition, enabling sustained stem cell expansion.
This system supports robust organoid growth and structural fidelity across multiple tissue types.
Why Choose Yeasen’s Cytokines?
· Animal-Free | Eliminates contamination risks (viruses, pathogens).
· High Purity | >95% by SDS-PAGE.
· Low Endotoxin | <0.01 EU/μg for sensitive applications.
· Batch Consistency | Reliable performance across production lots.
· Validated Activity | Demonstrated in tumor organoids (lung, cervical, ovarian, pancreatic, colorectal) and normal organoids (human/mouse intestinal).
Validation data from organoid culture
Human Wnt3a, Human RSPO1, Human noggin, and Human EGF have been validated in in vitro models such as human tumor organoids such as lung cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and intestinal cancer, and normal organoids such as human and mouse small intestinal organoids.
High activity
Figure 1.Human Wnt3a：Measured by its ability to induce Topflash reporter activity in HEK293T human embryonic kidney cells. The ED50 for this effect is 25 ng/mL.
Figure 2. Measured by its ability to induce Topflash reporter activity in HEK293T human embryonic kidney cells. The EC50 for this effect is 1.0 - 10.0 ng/mL in the presence of 5 ng/mL recombinant Wnt3a.
Related Products
|
Product Name |
Cat No. |
Specification |
|
Human Wnt-3a |
92294ES10 |
10 μg |
|
92294ES60 |
100 μg |
|
|
92294ES80 |
1 m g |
|
|
92278ES10 |
10 μg |
|
|
92278ES60 |
100 μg |
|
|
92278ES80 |
1 mg |
|
|
Human Noggin |
92623ES10 |
10 μg |
|
92623ES50 |
50 μg |
|
|
92623ES60 |
100 μg |
|
|
92623ES80 |
1 mg |
|
|
Human EGF |
92708ES60 |
100 μg |
|
92708ES76 |
500 μg |
|
|
92708ES80 |
1 mg |
Key Takeaways
· The WNER protocol is universally applicable for gastric, intestinal, hepatic, pancreatic, and other organoid cultures.
· Yeasen’s cytokines ensure high reproducibility and robust organoid expansion with stringent quality control.
For protocol optimization or bulk orders, contact our technical team.