Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stroma Cells (hES-MSCs) Engraft In Vivo and Support Hematopoiesis without Suppressing Immune Function: Implications for Off-The Shelf ES-MSC Therapies.

Mesenchymal stroma cells (MSCs) have a high potential for novel cell therapy approaches in clinical transplantation. Commonly used bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs), however, have a restricted proliferative capacity and cultures are difficult to standardize. Recently developed human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stroma cells (hES-MSCs) might represent an alternative and unlimited source of hMSCs. We therefore compared human ES-cell-derived MSCs (hES-MP002.5 cells) to normal human bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs). hES-MP002.5 cells had lower yet reasonable CFU-F capacity compared with BM-MSC (8±3 versus 29±13 CFU-F per 100 cells). Both cell types showed similar immunophenotypic properties, i.e. cells were positive for CD105, CD73, CD166, HLA-ABC, CD44, CD146, CD90, and negative for CD45, CD34, CD14, CD31, CD117, CD19, CD 271, SSEA-4 and HLA-DR. hES-MP002.5 cells, like BM-MSCs, could be differentiated into adipocytes, osteoblasts and chondrocytes in vitro. Neither hES-MP002.5 cells nor BM-MSCs homed to the bone marrow of immune-deficient NSG mice following intravenous transplantation, whereas intra-femoral transplantation into NSG mice resulted in engraftment for both cell types. In vitro long-term culture-initiating cell assays and in vivo co-transplantation experiments with cord blood CD34+ hematopoietic cells demonstrated furthermore that hES-MP002.5 cells, like BM-MSCs, possess potent stroma support function. In contrast to BM-MSCs, however, hES-MP002.5 cells showed no or only little activity in mixed lymphocyte cultures and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) lymphocyte stimulation assays. In summary, ES-cell derived MSCs might be an attractive unlimited source for stroma transplantation approaches without suppressing immune function

Comparability: manufacturing, characterization and controls, report of a UK Regenerative Medicine Platform Pluripotent Stem Cell Platform Workshop, Trinity Hall, Cambridge, 14–15 September 2015

This paper summarizes the proceedings of a workshop held at Trinity Hall, Cambridge to discuss comparability and includes additional information and references to related information added subsequently to the workshop. Comparability is the need to demonstrate equivalence of product after a process change; a recent publication states that this ‘may be difficult for cell-based medicinal products’. Therefore a well-managed change process is required which needs access to good science and regulatory advice and developers are encouraged to seek help early. The workshop shared current thinking and best practice and allowed the definition of key research questions. The intent of this report is to summarize the key issues and the consensus reached on each of these by the expert delegates

Cells: from Robert Hooke to cell therapy—a 350 year journey

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Trends in the human embryonic stem cell patent field.

http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/18722100778236047

Development of soft sensors for monitoring and control of bioprocesses [Elektronisk resurs]

In the manufacture of bio-therapeutics the importance of a well-known process is key for a high product titer and low batch to batch variations. Soft sensors are based on the concept that online sensor signals can be used as inputs to mathematical models to derive new valuable process information. This information could then be used for better monitoring and control of the bioprocess.The aim of the present thesis has been to develop soft sensor solutions for upstream bioprocessing and demonstrate their usefulness in improving robustness and increase the batch-to-batch reproducibility in bioprocesses. The thesis reviews the potential and possibilities with soft sensors for use in production of bio-therapeutics to realize FDA´s process analytical technology (PAT) initiative. Modelling and hardware sensor alternatives which could be used in a soft sensor setup are described and critically analyzed. Different soft sensor approaches to control glucose feeding in fed-batch cultures of Escherichia coli are described. Measurements of metabolic fluxes and specific carbon dioxide production was used as control parameters to increase product yield and decrease the variability of produced recombinant proteins. Metabolic heat signals were used in uninduced cultures to estimate and control the specific growth rate at a desired level and thereby also estimate the biomass concentration online. The introduction of sequential filtering of the signal enabled this method to be used in a down-scaled system. The risk and high impact of contaminations in cell cultures are also described. An in situ microscope (ISM) was used as an online tool to estimate cell concentration and also to determine cell diameter size which enabled the detection of contaminant cells at an early stage.The work presented in this thesis supports the idea that soft sensors can be a useful tool in the strive towards robust and reliable bioprocesses, to ensure high product quality and increased economic profit.</p