“Microgravity” as a unique and useful stem cell culture environment for cell-based therapy

Abstract

Cell-based therapy using mesenchymal stem cells or pluripotent stem cells such as induced pluripotent stem cells has seen dramatic progress in recent years. Part of cell-based therapy are already covered by public medical insurance. Recently, researchers have attempted to improve therapeutic effects toward various diseases by cell transplantation. Culture environment is considered to be one of the most important factors affecting therapeutic effects, in particular factors such as physical stimuli, because cells have the potential to adapt to their surrounding environment. In this review, we provide an overview of the research on the effects of gravity alteration on cell kinetics such as proliferation or differentiation and on potential therapeutic effects, and we also summarize the remarkable possibilities of the use of microgravity culture in cell-based therapy for various diseases.

Exosomes derived from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in mechanical environment show improved osteochondral activity via upregulation of LncRNA H19

“…Another important aspect of RCCS is the rotational speed. Previous studies have reported speeds ranging from 12 to 48 rpm/min, and no universal rotational speed has been identified [ [26] , [27] , [28] ]. Difference in rotational speed may lead to different mechanical stimulation, which can generate diverse cell states.…”

Enhanced Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by a Hybrid Hydroxylapatite/Collagen Scaffold

“…hBMSCs are able to migrate into damaged tissues and perform wound healing through two key mechanisms, that is, paracrine and direct differentiation. Indeed, the migration of hBMSCs is regulated by mechanical and chemical factors in this trafficking process ( Imura et al, 2019 ).…”

The Rotary Cell Culture System increases NTRK3 expression and promotes neuronal differentiation and migratory ability of neural stem cells cultured on collagen sponge

“…A recent study showed the changes of rostral-caudal neural patterning genes and cortical markers in human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived neural organoids cultured in microgravity conditions compared with standard conditions [36]. Additionally, emerging evidence indicates that microgravity affects not only cell differentiation but also the therapeutic effect of transplanted cells [15,37]. Several studies have demonstrated that microgravity contributes to providing seeding cells for cell therapy and enhancing the therapeutic effect of stem cell transplantation [38][39][40].…”