PROCESS FOR CULTIVATING CELLS
A process for cultivation of differentiated human cells retaining stem cell potential is provided. The process comprises culturing differentiated human cells retaining stem cell potential anchored to a microcarrier selected from the group consisting of gelatin microcarriers and quaternary ammonium derivatised polystyrene microcarriers.
1 - 10 . (canceled)
11 . A process for cultivation of differentiated human cells retaining stem cell potential which comprises culturing differentiated human cells retaining stem cell potential anchored to a microcarrier selected from the group consisting of gelatin microcarriers and quaternary ammonium derivatised polystyrene microcarriers.
12 . A process according to claim 11 , wherein the cells are adult cells.
13 . A process according to claim 12 , wherein the cells are mesenchymal cells.
14 . A process according to claim 13 , wherein the cells are dermal cells.
15 . A process according to claim 14 , wherein the cells are dermal sheath cells, dermal fibroblast or dermal papilla cells.
16 . A process according to claim 11 , wherein the cultivation process comprises cultivation of cells, harvesting said cells and reattachment of cells to a microcarrier for further cultivation.
17 . A process according to claim 16 , wherein a gelatin microcarrier is employed through the cultivation process.
18 . A process according to claim 16 , wherein a quaternary ammonium derivatised polystyrene microcarrier is employed as initial or final microcarrier.
19 . A process according to claim 11 which is operated using fed batch or continuous cell culture conditions.
20 . A process according to claim 11 , wherein the culture vessel is agitated with two or more impellers mounted about a common shaft, at least one impeller being located in the lower third of the medium in the culture vessel, and at least one impeller located in the middle third of the medium in the vessel or in the top third of medium in the vessel.
21 . A process according to claim 20 , wherein each impeller comprises two, three or four blades angled compared with the axis of the impeller shaft(s).
22 . A process according to claim 20 , wherein the impellers have a diameter:vessel diameter ratio of at least 0.25:1.
23 . A process according to claim 20 , wherein the impellers have a diameter:vessel diameter ratio in the range from 0.3:1 to 0.7:1.
24 . A process according to claim 20 , wherein a gelatin microcarrier is employed through the cultivation process.
25 . A process according to claim 20 , wherein a quaternary ammonium derivatised polystyrene microcarrier is employed as initial or final microcarrier.
26 . A process according to either claim 24 or 25 , wherein the cultivation process comprises cultivation of cells, harvesting said cells and reattachment of cells to a microcarrier for further cultivation.
27 . A process according to claim 26 , wherein the cells are dermal sheath cells, dermal fibroblast or dermal papilla cells.
28 . A process according to claim 27 , wherein the impellers have a diameter:vessel diameter ratio in the range from 0.3:1 to 0.7:1.