Open AccessControlled, Scalable Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation Culture
Author(s) -
Dang Stephen M.,
GerechtNir Sharon,
Chen Jinny,
ItskovitzEldor Joseph,
Zandstra Peter W.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.159
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1549-4918
pISSN - 1066-5099
DOI - 10.1634/stemcells.22-3-275
Subject(s) - embryoid body , embryonic stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , stem cell , cell , cellular differentiation , cell culture , progenitor cell , cell growth , adult stem cell , biochemistry , genetics , gene
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are of significant interest as a renewable source of therapeutically useful cells. ES cell aggregation is important for both human and mouse embryoid body (EB) formation and the subsequent generation of ES cell derivatives. Aggregation between EBs (agglomeration), however, inhibits cell growth and differentiation in stirred or high‐cell‐density static cultures. We demonstrate that the agglomeration of two EBs is initiated by E‐cadherin‐mediated cell attachment and followed by active cell migration. We report the development of a technology capable of controlling cell‐cell interactions in scalable culture by the mass encapsulation of ES cells in size‐specified agarose capsules. When placed in stirred‐suspension bioreactors, encapsulated ES cells can be used to produce scalable quantities of hematopoietic progenitor cells in a controlled environment.