The manufacturer (developer) has to prepare a specification for each newly developed biomedical cell product (BCP) that has passed the stage of preclinical studies. The specification is included into the registration dossier when applying for marketing authorisation of a BCP. In accordance with the Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 14n of 19 January 2017 «On approval of the specification format for a biomedical cell product» the specification should contain information about authenticity of the cell line used in the BCP, namely: morphological characteristics, expression of specific markers, expression of specific genes, expression of specific proteins, as well as markers of cell line stability. At present Russia has no practical experience in BCP quality evaluation. The aim of the study was to substantiate methodological approaches to authentication of cell lines used in BCPs as illustrated by quality evaluation of the DF-2 model cell line using test methods that allow for characterisation of the morphological, genetic, immunophenotypic, and cytogenetic profile of the cell line. Materials and methods: the study analysed the DF-2 cell line — human dermal fibroblasts (mesenchymal stem cells) obtained from the Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (St. Petersburg). The following analytical test methods were used in the study: morphological analysis; flow cytometry for immunophenotyping of the DF-2 model cell line; short tandem repeats for creating an allelic profile of the model cell line; cytogenetic analysis — differential DAPI staining of metaphase chromosomes. Results: the paper summarises methodological approaches to identification testing of medicines containing living human cells (BCP analogues) currently used in international practice, and presents the results of authentication of the model cell line. Conclusions: methods used for BCP identification testing should ensure unambiguous authentication of the cell line according to its specification. The study performed helped to work out the procedure of authentication of a model cell line.

Short tandem repeat analysis (STR) is a well-established international method of authentication and genetic stability testing of cell lines (CLs). Therefore, the development and introduction of this method into routine practice of cell banks and cell culture collections is a pressing concern. In addition, the expansion of the field of cell-line based biomedical cell products (BСPs) necessitates the implementation of STR as a tool of identification testing during quality control. The State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation does not require mandatory use of STR for cell line identification, while other countries have been using this method for cell line quality control for about a decade. The use of identified CLs in medical practice will ensure the efficacy and safety of BCPs.The aim of the study was to assess the possibility of using STR analysis for authentication and genetic stability testing of CLs using U937, WISH, WIL2-S, NK-92, and Jurkat Clone E6-1 CLs as examples.Materials and me­thods: the following human CLs were used in the study: U937 (ECACC), WISH (ATCC), WIL2S (ATCC), NK-92 (ATCC), and Jurkat Clone E6-1 (ATCC). The CL allelic profiles were determined by STR using the COrDIS Plus kit (Gordiz, Russia). The electrophoretic separation was performed using a Genetic Analyzer 3500 Series instrument. The data provided on the websites of the European Collection of Authenticated Cell Cultures and American Type Culture Collection were used to compare the CL profiles.Results: the AuthentiFiler PCR Amplification Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA) and the GenePrint 10 System (Promega Corporation, USA) intended for CL authentication by STR were compared with the characteristics of the COrDIS plus kit (Gordiz, Russia). The results of the comparison demonstrated that the COrDIS plus kit includes all the loci found in the foreign kits, as well as the loci recommended by the International Cell Line Authentication Committee. The U-937, WIL2S, and NK-92 CLs demonstrated genetic identity with the reference profiles available on the websites of the international collections. The Jurkat Clone E6-1 CL was found to be genetically instable due to the loss of the amelogenin gene.Conclusions: it was demonstrated by the examples of U937, WISH, WIL2-S, NK-92, and Jurkat Clone E6-1 CLs that STR and the COrDIS plus kit could be used for authentication and genetic stability testing. The obtained results suggest the feasibility of using the COrDIS plus kit for the analysis of CLs used in BCPs, for BCP quality control, and biomedical research.

Preclinical studies are one of the most important stages in the development of drugs for medical use, including cell therapy products (in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation — biomedical cell products). Regulatory authorities decide on the possibility of conducting clinical trials in order to bring the medications to the market on the basis of the results of the study of their specific activity and safety. Russian requirements for preclinical studies of cell therapy products generally correspond to foreign ones, the main difference is the need for an expanded program of their conduct. The article analyzes the aspects of preclinical studies (scope, justification of the reduced program, design, animal models used) of some cell therapy products approved for use in medical practice in the United States, the European Union, Japan, and South Korea.

Cell therapy is a key tool of regenerative medicine, but until the beginning of the last decade, products based on viable human cells were used primarily to repair damaged tissues and organs. Currently, the field of application of biomedical cell products has expanded significantly, but researchers still show considerable interest in the use of human cells in regenerative medicine. The stage of development of cell products varies significantly depending on the type of tissue and pathology, and ranges from preclinical and pilot clinical trials to authorised drugs with a long history of use. On the one hand, this may be attributed to methodological differences in the production and use of cell products, and on the other, to specific aspects of differentiation of cell types used in regenerative medicine, primarily mesenchymal stem cells. The aim of this study was to analyse current trends in the use of cell therapy in regenerative medicine and prospects for using available technologies. The paper summarises the main achievements in the use of cell therapy for regeneration of skin, bone and cartilage, nervous and cardiovascular systems. The key mechanisms of cell therapy effect are determined, on the one hand, by the differentiation potential of multipotent cells, and on the other, by the complex (immunomodulating, angiogenic, proliferative) action of the proteome expressed by the administered cells. The paper describes viable cell-based products currently authorised for each indication, and analyses the level of their clinical use. It might be promising to use directed cell differentiation technologies, as well as induced pluripotent cells in regenerative medicine.