Towards Biomanufacturing of Cell-Derived Matrices

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences 2021-11, Vol.22 (21), p.11929
• Main Authors: Chan, Weng Wan, Yu, Fang, Le, Quang Bach, Chen, Sixun, Yee, Marcus, Choudhury, Deepak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; biomanufacturing; biomaterials; Biomedical materials; Bioprinting - methods; Cell culture; cell-derived matrices; Clinical trials; Collagen; decellularised extracellular matrix; Extracellular matrix; Extracellular Matrix - chemistry; Fibroblasts; Genetic engineering; Growth factors; Humans; hydrogels; Manufacturing; Meat industry; Medical research; Product development; Production methods; Proteins; Quality control; Regenerative Medicine; Review; Scaling up; Scanning electron microscopy; Skin; Stem cells; Tissue engineering; Tissue Engineering - methods; Tissue Scaffolds - chemistry
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111929

Cell-derived matrices (CDM) are the decellularised extracellular matrices (ECM) of tissues obtained by the laboratory culture process. CDM is developed to mimic, to a certain extent, the properties of the needed natural tissue and thus to obviate the use of animals. The composition of CDM can be tailored for intended applications by carefully optimising the cell sources, culturing conditions and decellularising methods. This unique advantage has inspired the increasing use of CDM for biomedical research, ranging from stem cell niches to disease modelling and regenerative medicine. However, while much effort is spent on extracting different types of CDM and exploring their utilisation, little is spent on the scale-up aspect of CDM production. The ability to scale up CDM production is essential, as the materials are due for clinical trials and regulatory approval, and in fact, this ability to scale up should be an important factor from the early stages. In this review, we first introduce the current CDM production and characterisation methods. We then describe the existing scale-up technologies for cell culture and highlight the key considerations in scaling-up CDM manufacturing. Finally, we discuss the considerations and challenges faced while converting a laboratory protocol into a full industrial process. Scaling-up CDM manufacturing is a challenging task since it may be hindered by technologies that are not yet available. The early identification of these gaps will not only quicken CDM based product development but also help drive the advancement in scale-up cell culture and ECM extraction.