Generation of muscle cells in vitro from induced pluripotent stem cells in bovine species

• Grant number: 24/19758-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Anatomy
• Principal Investigator: Fabiana Fernandes Bressan
• Grantee: Tiago William Buranello
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Livestock farming plays a fundamental role in Brazil, making the country one of the world's leading meat producers and exporters, significantly contributing to the economy and creating jobs directly and indirectly. However, the sector faces environmental and social challenges, such as the need to reduce environmental impacts and animal welfare. As a result, many companies are emerging on the market looking for new ways to produce meat ethically and sustainably, one of which is in vitro meat production through cell cultivation in the laboratory. This new approach has numerous advantages over traditional meat, such as shorter production times, less physical space, eliminating pathogen-related diseases, meeting nutritional needs, and reducing animal slaughter. The aim of this study is to differentiate bovine induced pluripotent stem cells (biPSCs) into skeletal muscle cells and adipogenic cells and, subsequently, to co-cultivate both. To do this, it is desirable to cultivate and expand the biPSCs without the murine embryonic fibroblast feederlayers (MEFs). For that, Biolaminin and Matrigel were used as substitute matrices. The Matrigel matrix was able to maintain the biPSCs for 10 passages, maintaining the characteristics and pluripotency properties of the cells. Herein, we aim to use biPSCs in an unprecedented way to produce meat in vitro. Thus, from the partial results, we believe we have differentiated biPSCs into mesoderm and endoderm cells by analyzing the presence of PECAM-1 and TUBB3 markers of mesoderm and endoderm, respectively. For the next steps, we will adjust the protocol in order to obtain only mesoderm cells for co-cultivation with adipocyte cells. Due to the ability of biPSCs to multiply and renew cells, we infer that it is possible to produce meat in vitro without the need to constantly collect animal cells.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

NUNES, OCTAVIO BIGNARDI DA SILVA; BURANELLO, TIAGO WILLIAN; FARIAS, FABIANA DE ANDRADE; ROSERO, JENYFFER; RECCHIA, KAIANA; BRESSAN, FABIANA FERNANDES. Can cell-cultured meat from stem cells pave the way for sustainable alternative protein?. CURRENT RESEARCH IN FOOD SCIENCE, v. 10, p. 12-pg., 2025-01-01. (24/19758-5, 23/16931-5, 23/00480-4)