Linear Scale-up of hiPSC Cell Lines Using Vertical-Wheel® Bioreactors

This application note evaluates linear scale-up of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) aggregate expansion from 0.1 L to 3 L working volumes in PBS Vertical-Wheel bioreactors. TC1133 and PLX1 hiPSC lines were inoculated as single cells and cultured using scale-correlated agitation rates, bolus feeding, and perfusion feeding. Across both scales, the cell lines showed predictable growth, comparable cell concentrations, nearly identical overall specific growth rates, and consistent glucose and lactate profiles. Aggregate formation was evident by day 1, followed by healthy and consistent morphology through day 5. Day 5 samples from PBS-3 cultures also maintained high expression of the pluripotency markers SSEA-4, TRA-1-60, SOX-2, and OCT-4. The study demonstrates reproducible hiPSC aggregate expansion between PBS-MINI and PBS-3 while maintaining growth, morphology, and pluripotency marker expression.