MUSCLE CELLS DIFFERENTIATED FROM PLURIPOTENT CELLS, METHODS OF PRODUCING SAME AND USE THEREOF

Smart overview of the Invention

The invention focuses on the production of bioengineered tissues containing skeletal muscle cells. It outlines methods for deriving skeletal muscle-committed progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) and subsequently differentiating them into skeletal muscle cells. The innovation provides compositions and methods that facilitate the growth of these progenitor cells, which can be further developed into muscle cells for use in engineered tissues or cultured meat products.

Background

Traditional livestock farming poses environmental and ethical challenges, prompting interest in cultured meat as a sustainable alternative. Cultured meat often lacks the texture of conventional meat due to its reliance on ground meat forms. Current scientific efforts have explored in vitro muscle differentiation, primarily for research and therapeutic purposes. However, existing methods for muscle cell differentiation from PSCs are complex and costly, involving numerous growth factors and extended culturing periods.

Innovative Methodology

The proposed method simplifies the process of producing muscle cells by using a culture medium that combines an activator of the TGF-beta signaling pathway, like Activin A, with a GSK3 signaling pathway inhibitor such as CHIR-99021. This combination results in a mass of skeletal muscle-committed progenitor cells that can be efficiently differentiated into mature muscle cells. The process is faster, reducing production time to a few weeks while being scalable for industrial applications.

Technical Aspects

The method involves culturing PSCs in a serum-free medium under either three-dimensional (3D) or two-dimensional (2D) conditions. In 3D cultures, cells can self-assemble into aggregates like clusters or spheroids. The invention also allows for the use of adherent materials or support matrices to aid cell culturing. The activators and inhibitors used are selected from specific groups known to influence TGF-beta and GSK3 signaling pathways, respectively.

Applications

This invention promises significant advancements in producing cell-based meat products by providing an economical and scalable approach to generating skeletal muscle cells. It holds potential for wide application in the food industry, offering an alternative to traditional meat production methods with comparable costs. Additionally, the technology could be beneficial in therapeutic settings where muscle regeneration is required.