A comparative evaluation of layer‐by‐layer assembly techniques for surface modification of microcarriers used in human mesenchymal stromal cell manufacturing

• Published in: Biotechnology journal 2022-08, Vol.17 (8), p.e2100605-n/a
• Main Authors: Timsina, Hemanta, McTyer, Jasmine, Rao, Raj R., Almodovar, Jorge
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: collagen; heparin; hMSCs; Layer‐by‐layer; microcarriers
• ISSN: 1860-6768; 1860-7314
• DOI: 10.1002/biot.202100605

The demand for large quantities of highly potent human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) is growing given their therapeutic potential. To meet high production needs, suspension‐based cell cultures using microcarriers are commonly used. Microcarriers are commonly made of or coated with extracellular matrix proteins or charged compounds to promote cell adhesion and proliferation. In this work, a simple method (draining filter) to perform layer by layer (LbL) assembly on microcarriers to create multilayers of heparin and collagen and further demonstrate that these multilayers have a positive effect on hMSC viability after 48 h of culture was demonstrated. The draining filter method is evaluated against two other methods found in literature—centrifugation and fluidized bed, showing that the draining filter method can perform the surface modification with greater efficiency and with less materials and steps needed in the coating process. Graphical and Lay Summary Microcarriers are spherical particles commonly used in large‐scale cell cultures. In this study, the authors demonstrate a layer‐by‐layer thin film fabrication method to create heparin/collagen multilayers on microcarriers. The modified microcarriers are shown to enhance cell proliferation and harvest amount when seeded with human mesenchymal stromal cells.