Review
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2019. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Stem Cells. Nov 26, 2019; 11(11): 968-981
Published online Nov 26, 2019. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v11.i11.968
Developments in cell culture systems for human pluripotent stem cells
Weiwei Liu, Chunhao Deng, Carlos Godoy-Parejo, Yumeng Zhang, Guokai Chen
Weiwei Liu, Chunhao Deng, Carlos Godoy-Parejo, Yumeng Zhang, Guokai Chen, Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
Weiwei Liu, Chunhao Deng, Carlos Godoy-Parejo, Yumeng Zhang, Guokai Chen, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
Weiwei Liu, Bioimaging and Stem Cell Core Facility, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
Author contributions: Liu W, Deng C, Godoy-Parejo C, Zhang Y, and Chen G wrote the manuscript; Deng C drew the figure; Godoy-Parejo C compiled the tables.
Supported by University of Macau Multi-Year Research Grants, No. MYRG2015-00228-FHS and MYRG2018-00135-FHS; and Macao Science and Technology Development Fund, No. FDCT/131/2014/A3 and FDCT/056/2015/A2.
Conflict-of-interest statement: Dr. Chen has a patent 9644186 with royalties paid to Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. The other authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Guokai Chen, PhD, Associate Professor, Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, E12-4013, Taipa, Macau 999078, China. guokaichen@umac.mo
Telephone: +853-88224985
Received: March 26, 2019
Peer-review started: March 28, 2019
First decision: April 16, 2019
Revised: August 21, 2019
Accepted: August 27, 2019
Article in press: August 27, 2019
Published online: November 26, 2019
Abstract

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are important resources for cell-based therapies and pharmaceutical applications. In order to realize the potential of hPSCs, it is critical to develop suitable technologies required for specific applications. Most hPSC technologies depend on cell culture, and are critically influenced by culture medium composition, extracellular matrices, handling methods, and culture platforms. This review summarizes the major technological advances in hPSC culture, and highlights the opportunities and challenges in future therapeutic applications.

Keywords: Human pluripotent stem cells, Human embryonic stem cells, Cell culture, Culture medium, Stem cell niche, Signal transduction, Embryoid bodies

Core tip: This review summarizes recent developments in cell culture systems for human pluripotent stem cells, including signal transduction requirements at different pluripotency stages, advances in extracellular matrices and handling methods, establishment of chemically defined conditions, and various cell culture platforms for specific purposes.