Increasing the biomolecular relevance of cell culture practice

Abstract

The biomolecular relevance of medium supplements is a key challenge affecting cell culture practice. The biomolecular composition of commonly used supplements differs from that of a physiological environment, affecting the validity of conclusions drawn from in vitro studies. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of common supplements, including context-dependent considerations for supplement selection to improve biomolecular relevance, especially in nanomedicine and extracellular vesicle research.

Keywords: Chemically defined medium; Fetal bovine serum (FBS); Plasma; Serum; Supplement.

Fig. 1

Biomolecular differences between various cell culture supplements. A Comparison between fetal bovine serum and adult human plasma in the three major areas of differences (fetal versus adult; bovine versus human; serum versus plasma). Arrows indicate an increase (↑) or decrease (↓) in the levels of biomolecules based on developmental stage (fetal versus adult), species (bovine versus human), and non-coagulated/coagulated state (serum versus plasma). B Approximate percentage of homology between abundant bovine and human plasma proteins, determined by UniProt. [48] Apo, apolipoprotein; EV extracellular vesicle, HDL, high-density lipoprotein, LDL low-density lipoprotein

Fig. 2

Altered biomolecular composition of cell culture supplements can impact immune clearance and target cell uptake. A Potential disadvantageous (non-physiologically relevant) effects of cell culture supplements. Cell culture supplements impact biomolecular identity of drug delivery systems such, as nanoparticles, by affecting immune clearance (B) and target cell uptake (C)