Non-xenogeneic expansion and definitive endoderm differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells in an automated bioreactor.

Scalable processes are requisite for the robust biomanufacturing of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived therapeutics. Toward this end, we demonstrate the xeno-free expansion and directed differentiation of human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells to definitive endoderm (DE) in a controlled stirred suspension bioreactor (SSB). Based on previous work on converting hPSCs to insulin-producing progeny, differentiation of two hPSC lines was optimized in planar cultures yielding up to 87% FOXA2 /SOX17 cells.

Who Will Win: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Versus Embryonic Stem Cells for β Cell Replacement and Diabetes Disease Modeling?

Purpose Of Review: Ever since the reprogramming of human fibroblasts to induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), scientists have been trying to determine if hiPSCs can give rise to progeny akin to native terminally differentiated cells as human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) do. Many different somatic cell types have been successfully reprogrammed via a variety of methods. In this review, we will discuss recent studies comparing hiPSCs and hESCs and their ability to differentiate to desired cell types as well as explore diabetes disease models.

Human pluripotent stem cell differentiation to functional pancreatic cells for diabetes therapies: Innovations, challenges and future directions.

Recent advances in the expansion and directed pancreatogenic differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have intensified efforts to generate functional pancreatic islet cells, especially insulin-secreting β-cells, for cell therapies against diabetes. However, the consistent generation of glucose-responsive insulin-releasing cells remains challenging. In this article, we first present basic concepts of pancreatic organogenesis, which frequently serves as a basis for engineering differentiation regimens.