Protocol for enhanced proliferation of human pluripotent stem cells in tryptophan-fortified media.

We describe a protocol for the efficient culture of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) by supplementing conventional culture medium with L-tryptophan (TRP). TRP is an essential amino acid that is widely available at an affordable cost, thereby allowing cost-effective proliferation of hPSCs compared to using a conventional medium alone. Here, we describe the steps for enhanced proliferation of hPSCs from dermal fibroblasts or peripheral blood cells, but the protocol can be applied to any hPSCs.

Tryptophan Metabolism Regulates Proliferative Capacity of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have a unique metabolic signature for maintenance of pluripotency, self-renewal, and survival. Although hPSCs could be potentially used in regenerative medicine, the prohibitive cost associated with large-scale cell culture presents a major barrier to the clinical application of hPSC. Moreover, without a fully characterized metabolic signature, hPSC culture conditions are not optimized.

Fatty Acid Synthesis Is Indispensable for Survival of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells.

The role of lipid metabolism in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is poorly understood. We have used large-scale targeted proteomics to demonstrate that undifferentiated hPSCs express different fatty acid (FA) biosynthesis-related enzymes, including ATP citrate lyase and FA synthase (FASN), than those expressed in hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs). Detailed lipid profiling revealed that inhibition of FASN resulted in significant reduction of sphingolipids and phosphatidylcholine (PC); moreover, we found that PC was the key metabolite for cell survival in hPSCs.

Toward the realization of cardiac regenerative medicine using pluripotent stem cells.

Heart transplantation (HT) is the only radical treatment available for patients with end-stage heart failure that is refractory to optimal medical treatment and device therapies. However, HT as a therapeutic option is limited by marked donor shortage. To overcome this difficulty, regenerative medicine using human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) has drawn increasing attention as an alternative to HT.

Selective elimination of undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells using pluripotent state-specific immunogenic antigen Glypican-3.

Immunogenicity of immature pluripotent stem cells is a topic of intense debate. Immunogenic antigens, which are specific in pluripotent states, have not been described previously. In this study, we identified glypican-3 (GPC3), a known carcinoembryonic antigen, as a pluripotent state-specific immunogenic antigen.

Efficient Large-Scale 2D Culture System for Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Differentiated Cardiomyocytes.

Cardiac regenerative therapies utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are hampered by ineffective large-scale culture. hiPSCs were cultured in multilayer culture plates (CPs) with active gas ventilation (AGV), resulting in stable proliferation and pluripotency. Seeding of 1 × 10 hiPSCs per layer yielded 7.

Manipulation of Pluripotent Stem Cell Metabolism for Clinical Application.

Purpose Of Review: Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have the capacity to differentiate into various types of cells, and are promising cell sources for regenerative therapy and drug screening. However, to realize the clinical application of PSCs, a large number of highly qualified target cells must be stably prepared with low cost. To achieve this, great improvements in the reprogramming, differentiation, and elimination of residual PSCs will be necessary.