Abstract
Microcarriers are 100- to 300-micron support matrices that permit the growth of adherent cells in bioreactor systems. They have a larger surface area to volume ratio in comparison to single cell monolayers, enabling cost-effective cell production and expansion. Microcarriers are composed of a solid matrix that must be separated from expanded cells during downstream processing stages. The detachment method is chosen on the basis of several factors like cell type, microcarrier surface chemistry, cell confluency and degree of aggregation. The development of microcarriers with a range of physiochemical properties permit controlled cell and protein associations that hold utility for novel therapeutics. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent advances in microcarrier cell culture technology. We also discuss its significance as an ex vivo research tool and the therapeutic potential of newly designed microcarrier systems in vivo.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by Zhejiang Provincial Science and Technology Projects (No. LGF18H060007 to YFC), Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (No. LY17H180010 to XYC), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81672430 to XZM), and Zhejiang Provincial Science and Technology Projects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. 2016ZA020 to XYC).
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Chen, XY., Chen, JY., Tong, XM. et al. Recent advances in the use of microcarriers for cell cultures and their ex vivo and in vivo applications. Biotechnol Lett 42, 1–10 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-019-02738-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-019-02738-7