Scientific Advisor X-Therma Hercules, CA , California, United States
Abstract: Introduction Scaling up anchorage-dependent cell cultures is essential for clinical and industrial applications, such as regenerative medicine, cell therapy, and biomanufacturing. However, current microcarriers often lead to suboptimal cell yield, reduced viability, and high costs. Traditional microcarriers also require complex separation steps, increasing mechanical damage and contamination risks. Dissolvable microcarriers provide a promising solution by enabling gentle cell harvesting, minimizing mechanical stress and preserving cell quality. As demand for scalable, high-yield cell culture systems grows, dissolvable microcarriers address key challenges in large-scale production and clinical manufacturing.
Method This study developed xeno-free, customizable, fast-dissolving P2 microcarriers for cell therapy. C2C12 myoblast cells were cultured in a 5 mL system without shaking, seeded at 48,000 cells/mL. Cell attachment was assessed after 24 hours by counting unattached cells in the supernatant. After 4 days, cells were harvested using DPBS washes and a 10-minute TrypLE enzymatic treatment, followed by counting with a haemocytometer.
Results P2 microcarriers achieved 92.4% cell attachment within 24 hours, similar to X1 (96.1%) and Cytodex 3 (97.4%). After 4 days, P2 microcarriers dissolved in 3 minutes, compared to 10 minutes for X1, while Cytodex 3 was non-dissolvable. Cell yields were 842,500 cells/mL for P2, 1,117,500 cells/mL for X1, and 551,250 cells/mL for Cytodex 3, corresponding to 17.6-, 23.3-, and 11.5-fold increases, respectively. Preliminary data indicated that differences in stiffness between P2 and X1 microcarriers influenced exosome expression levels.
Conclusion Xeno-free, fast-dissolving P2 microcarriers offer high yield, efficient harvesting, and customizable properties for scalable anchorage-dependent cell culture. These advantages position P2 microcarriers as a promising option for stem cell therapy, ensuring gentle handling and consistent cell quality essential for clinical-grade production.
