Expansion of functional personalized cells with specific transgene combinations

• Published in: Nature communications Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 994 - 12
• Main Authors: Lipps, Christoph, Klein, Franziska, Wahlicht, Tom, Seiffert, Virginia, Butueva, Milada, Zauers, Jeannette, Truschel, Theresa, Luckner, Martin, Köster, Mario, MacLeod, Roderick, Pezoldt, Jörn, Hühn, Jochen, Yuan, Qinggong, Müller, Peter Paul, Kempf, Henning, Zweigerdt, Robert, Dittrich-Breiholz, Oliver, Pufe, Thomas, Beckmann, Rainer, Drescher, Wolf, Riancho, Jose, Sañudo, Carolina, Korff, Thomas, Opalka, Bertram, Rebmann, Vera, Göthert, Joachim R., Alves, Paula M., Ott, Michael, Schucht, Roland, Hauser, Hansjörg, Wirth, Dagmar, May, Tobias
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 08.03.2018; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 13; 13/106; 13/107; 631/1647/1407/651; 631/61/490; 631/61/51/1844; 64; 64/60; 96; Animals; Biotechnology; Bone surgery; Cell culture; Cell Line; Cell lines; Cells, Cultured; Drug development; Epidemiology; Genes; Genomics; Hematology; Hepatocytes; Hepatocytes - cytology; Hepatocytes - metabolism; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Infections; Lentivirus - genetics; Medical schools; Medicine; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; multidisciplinary; Precision medicine; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Tissues; Transduction, Genetic; Transgenes; Transgenes - genetics; Transgenes - physiology
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03408-4

Fundamental research and drug development for personalized medicine necessitates cell cultures from defined genetic backgrounds. However, providing sufficient numbers of authentic cells from individuals poses a challenge. Here, we present a new strategy for rapid cell expansion that overcomes current limitations. Using a small gene library, we expanded primary cells from different tissues, donors, and species. Cell-type-specific regimens that allow the reproducible creation of cell lines were identified. In depth characterization of a series of endothelial and hepatocytic cell lines confirmed phenotypic stability and functionality. Applying this technology enables rapid, efficient, and reliable production of unlimited numbers of personalized cells. As such, these cell systems support mechanistic studies, epidemiological research, and tailored drug development. Personalised medicine requires cell cultures from defined genetic backgrounds, but providing sufficient numbers of cells is a challenge. Here the authors develop gene cocktails to expand primary cells from a variety of different tissues and species, and show that expanded endothelial and hepatic cells retain properties of the differentiated phenotype.