Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines and Their Use in International Research

Abstract

Research in human pluripotent stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), is one of the most dynamic research fields. Despite the high public attention, especially for hESC research, there is only scattered information on the number of hESC lines and the degree, dynamics, and diversification of their use on a global level. In this study we present data on the current number of publicly disclosed hESC lines, on the extent and impact of experimental work involving hESCs, and on the use of specific hESC lines in international research. The results are based on the evaluation of nearly 1,000 research papers published by the end of 2008, which describe experimental work on hESCs, and of a comprehensive database of published hESC lines. The average impact of hESC research papers is high at 7.422, with a predominance of research output by the United States. Of at least 1,071 original hESC lines derived up to November 2009 at 87 institutions in 24 countries, only a fraction is thoroughly characterized. Our data show the global predominance of a few hESC lines in research, but also reveal remarkable country-specific differences. Comparison of hESC and hiPSC application did not show a diminished role for hESC research, but rather revealed that, up to this time, both fields continue to expand, exist independently, and partially overlap. Stem Cells 2010;28:240–246

We heart cultured hearts. A comparative review of methodologies for targeted differentiation and maintenance of cardiomyocytes derived from pluripotent and multipotent stem cells

“…cells from umbilical cord or adult stem cells such as haematopoietic progenitors from bone marrow) from individuals with specific genetic backgrounds that may be associated with high risk for development of disease (patient-specific disease cell lines). Several years ago the number of established human disease cell lines was in the order of several dozens, but the number of lines available for research has grown exponentially since [summarised in 193,194]. Recently, it has been reported that patient-specific iPSC cardiomyocyte cell lines were established for common inherited cardiac arrhythmiasvarious subtypes of long QT (LQT) syndrome subtypes; the mixed phenotype of LQTS3/Brugada syndrome; subtypes 1 and 2 of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy [23,195].…”

Maintaining Embryonic Stem Cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

“…The ideal culture method is developing feeder-free culture condition (Xu et al, 2001), even chemically defined culture conditions (Ludwig et al, 2006) for human ES cells or iPS cells expansion. But so far few human ES or iPS cell lines were produced without any exposure to animal-derived compounds or in accordance with good manufacturing practices (GMP) standards (Loser et al, 2010). Therefore, culturing human ES or iPS cells in complete xeno-free conditions to reduce the risk of cross-transfer of pathogens without loss pluripotency would be a crucial prerequisite for clinical-grade applications.…”

Do We Need More Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines?

“…According to a recent study by loser et al (25), only three heSc lines-h9, h1 and h7, derived by thomson and colleagues and provided by Wicell Research Institute, have been used in more than 50% of the scientific papers published between 1998 and 2008. Another eight cell lines (BG01, BG02, heS-2, heS-3, heS-6, hUeS7, hUeS9 and i6) account for more than 40% of the research articles that appeared during the same period.…”

“…they also have great value for the exploration of new therapeutic strategies and can provide proper testing systems for disease-oriented drug discovery. to date, 116 heSc lines with genetic disorders have been developed, representing 33 heritable human diseases (25). these lines represent only a small fraction of the large number of hereditary disorders.…”