Stem Cell-Derived Feeder Cells for 2D Intestinal Cell Culture

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of effective methods for maintaining and proliferating intestinal epithelial cells and other difficult-to-culture cells using a two-dimensional culture system, as conventional feeder cells are inadequate for this purpose.

Innovation Solution

A method is developed to produce a feeder cell from a pluripotent stem cell-derived intestinal structure, which includes culturing and isolating a fibroblast-like cell expressing specific markers (PDGFRA, CD81, Foxl1, and GREM1) to support the two-dimensional culture of intestinal epithelial cells and other challenging cell types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional feeder cells are used for two-dimensional culture, then general cell culture is supported, but intestinal epithelial cells and other difficult-to-culture cells cannot be maintained or proliferated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance and proliferation capabilityVSAvoidapplicability to difficult-to-culture cells
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the biological parameters of the feeder cell by selecting specific cell types (human amnion epithelial cells, human umbilical cord perivascular cells, or human umbilical cord mesenchymal cells) with specific surface markers (CD56, CD146, CD34, CD90) and culture conditions. This parameter change enables the feeder cell to provide appropriate signaling molecules and extracellular matrix components that support the maintenance and proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells and other difficult-to-culture cells in two-dimensional culture systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If three-dimensional culture is used for intestinal epithelial cells, then maintenance and proliferation are achieved, but two-dimensional culture capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance and proliferation capabilityVSAvoidculture system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a feeder cell as an intermediary between the substrate and the intestinal epithelial cells in two-dimensional culture. This feeder cell layer provides the necessary biological signals, growth factors, and extracellular matrix components that normally require three-dimensional structure, thereby enabling intestinal epithelial cells to be maintained and proliferated in a simpler two-dimensional culture system without requiring complex 3D scaffolds or organoid structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If feeder cells are subcultured multiple times, then cell supply is increased, but feeder capability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeeder cell supplyVSAvoidfeeder capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a standardized, reproducible feeder cell model using human amnion epithelial cells, human umbilical cord perivascular cells, or human umbilical cord mesenchymal cells with defined surface markers and culture conditions. This standardized copying approach ensures that the feeder cells maintain consistent biological properties and feeder capability even after multiple subcultures, as the cell type and culture protocol are optimized to preserve functional characteristics across passages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4585680A1Feeder cells, cell sheet, production method for feeder cells and cell sheet, and method for maintaining or proliferating cells using feeder cell
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD
  • EP4585680A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4585680A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4585680A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] Provided are: a feeder cell for maintaining or proliferating, by a two-dimensional culture, a cell deemed to be difficult to maintain and proliferate by a two-dimensional culture; and a method of producing the feeder cell. [Solution] A fibroblast-like cell is produced from a pluripotent stem cell, and derived from an intestinal structure containing an endoderm-derived cell and a mesoderm-derived cell is proliferated, isolated, and used as a feeder cell.