Marine sponge cells in 3D could ramp up production of drug compounds

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More than 9000 species of marine sponges are a source of novel natural products. They have promising chemical agents that may be useful in fighting cancer. Cell cycling, immune and inflammatory responses, and calcium and sodium regulation are some of the human disease processes that involve these chemicals.

Unfortunately, many pharmaceutically relevant sponges are found only in trace amounts within the source sponge, and it is not economically or ecologically feasible to harvest enough wild sponge biomass to supply the necessary quantities for clinical drug development and manufacturing.

The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University has come up with a viable solution. They achieved a breakthrough in marine biology when they created a marine sponge cell culture using an optimal medium to develop sponge cell lines and rapid division. Prior to this discovery, there were no marine invertebrate cell lines.

For the first time, the scientists at the Harbor Branch of the FAU have succeeded in culturing sponge cells in 3D. Cells in 2D culture are limited in their interactions and functions and exhibit different biological and physiological characteristics. The new 3D method better represents how sponge cells function in nature and will help to scale up production.

This study will demonstrate proof-of-concept of 3D culture methods by using a marine sponge. Researchers evaluated sponge cells cultured in three 3D substrates with the goal of applying one or more of the methods to scale up production.

The results show that sponge products can quickly diffuse into and out of the 3D matrix, that gel microdroplets can be scaled up in spinner flasks, and that cells and/or secreted products can be easily recovered. Scientists at the Harbor Branch are working on scale-up and production.

"Sponge cells are an exciting and alternative biological option for production ofbiomass or bioactive metabolites," said the senior author, a research professor at Harbor Branch and former executive director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. sponges can be separated into cells that will reaggregate and 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- Cell culture allows us to control environmental variables and choose or modify conditions that favor increased production ofbiomass.

Although in-the-sea aquaculture of whole sponges or sponge "explants" has been successful for a limited number of species, the inability to control environmental conditions such as extreme weather events and harmful algal blooms makes in-the-sea aquaculture a less desirable biological option.

Pomponi said that marine sponges require high salinities which can prevent the hydrogels from solidifying properly. Many hydrogels need curing periods that are lethal to sponge cells.

Scientists at the Harbor Branch have been collecting unusual marine organisms for years. The majority of samples come from around the Atlantic and Caribbean.

More than 50 species, 26 families, 15 orders, and two classes of shallow and deep-water sponges are represented in the biobank of cryopreserved cells established by Pomponi and her team. This is the first biobank of cells from the ocean. It is being used to support ongoing research in sponge-derived drug development, as well as habitat restoration and other applications.

Pomponi said that they are conducting research to increase their usefulness for production of sponge-derived chemicals with human health applications.

The co-authors are Elizabeth Urban-Gedamke, Megan Conkling, Peter J. McCarthy, and Paul S. Wills.

The 3-D Culture of Marine Sponge Cells for Production of Bioactive Compounds, Marine Drugs was written by Elizabeth Urban-Gedamke. There is a DOI: 10.3390/md19100

The marine sponge cells in 3D could ramp up production of drug compounds.

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