As a pioneer and undisputed global leader in the field of iPSC technology, Creative Biolabs offers high-efficient iPSC production service for our customers. In addition, now we have built the scale-up culture system for the mass preparation of iPSCs in high quality.
With the potentially unlimited production of various human cell types in vitro, human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) presents great promise in different aspects, such as drug discovery, disease modeling, drug safety assay, and cell-based therapy. At present, the generation of functional human iPSCs is mainly in laboratory research scale which is unable to satisfy meet the envisioned routine applications. For example, approximately 1-10 × 109 functional cells are required for replacing the disease-induced- misfunctioned tissues and organs, and 2.5 × 1012 red blood cells are demanded in transfusion medicine for each patient. In addition, adequate induced-differentiated cells are demanded to comply with the hiPSCs-related regulatory framework. Above all, a robust and scalable method is required for the generation of large numbers of mature and differentiated iPSCs.
Fig.1 Possible applications of human pluripotent stem cells demanding large-scale cell expansion.
Two-dimensional (2D) culture originates from human iPSCs grown on the matrix-covered surface of flasks or plates. The matrices can be mitotically inactivated fibroblasts, matrigel, recombinant proteins, and synthetic polymers. Even with the simple process, the introduction of undesired gradients out of the static culture conditions, including media components, paracrine factors, metabolic waste products and gases, limits its further applications. Based on suspension culture condition, the three-dimensional (3D) culture is a potent approach to support human iPSCs viability and proliferation at the pluripotent state. Moreover, the use of bioreactor systems largely improves the development of dynamic suspension culture.
Fig.2 Expansion strategies for human pluripotent stem cells.
In order to overcome the environmental inhomogeneity, two typical bioreactor systems, rotating wall bioreactor and stirred tank bioreactor, have been established for the dynamic suspension culture. The rotating wall bioreactor (RWB) is a cylindrical culture vessel that maintains continuous rotation along its longitudinal axis and horizontal axis. Depends on the rotational speed, the immersed cells can be dynamically suspended in quasi-periodic circular motion. Although low shear stresses on cells, the volume capability and the complexity of the technical solutions limit the wide applications of large-scale human iPSCs. Consists of a glass or plastic vessel with an internal impeller, the stirred tank bioreactor (STBR) enables keeping cells in suspension. The culture environment, including pH, temperature, and Do, can be detected by integrated probes. In order to achieve the scale-up culture of human iPSCs with STBR, we also developed two alternative technologies: cell immobilization on microcarriers and matrix-free cell aggregation.
With the requirement of large numbers of human iPSCs in clinical applications, Creative Biolabs now can provide various approaches for the scale-up culture of iPSCs. We can also provide various other services regarding iPSC technology, contact us if you are interested in them.
Reference
For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.
