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Ciao a tutti
Recentemente, anche su questo forum, era stato sollevato il problema della presenza di derivati animali anche nei cosiddetti metodi alternativi basati su culture cellulari o tissutali umani.
In molte (ma non tutte) culture in vitro di materiale umano spesso viene usato infatti siero fetale bovino.
Questo veniva e viene effettuato principalmente per due motivi:
1) spesso chi sviluppa nuovi metodi di ricerca NON lo fa per amore degli animali ma solo per avere metodi tecnologicamente avanzati per la tutela della salute umana, il siero fetale bovino veniva usato solo “ambiente” per mantenere vive le cellule umane senza porsi problemi etici sulla provenienza del siero.
2) Questo è comunque un tipico esempio di “inerzia mentale”, nel senso che in alcuni casi è talmente “normale” e “immediato” pensare di usare animali o loro derivati che pochissimi si pongono il problema di trovare altre strade, anche in caso estremamente semplice come questo.

Qualche giorno fa ho incontrato un rappresentante di una ditta che ha sviluppato un prodotto commerciale, che non presenta quindi nessun problema organizzativo, completamente privo di derivati animali, per la preparazione di colture cellulari umane.
Quindi … chiunque sostenga che sia necessario o che sia soltanto più comodo usare siero bovino per la preparazione di questi metodi di ricerca … è un ignorante.
Se qualcuno ha bisogno dei dettagli tecnici per motivi di studio o per altre necessità non esiti a contattarmi
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(se la mail è intasata, riprovate dopo un paio di giorni, grazie)
ciao
massimo

UK alternatives group
questions use of fetal calf serum

An umbrella group of UK-based organisations, which is working to advance the replacement of animal experiments, is urging researchers to think twice before using fetal calf serum (FCS). In vitro techniques have successfully reduced the number of laboratory animals used worldwide. Ironically, however, some in vitro research involves the use of a supplement for cell culture media, which is obtained from animals.

Focus on Alternatives (FoA), which includes the Dr Hadwen Trust, FRAME, the Humane Research Trust, the Lord Dowding Fund for Humane Research, the RSPCA, the St Andrew Animal Fund, and the UK Human Tissue Bank, is hoping to persuade researchers to consider using a more ethical alternative where possible - namely serum-free media.

One of FoA's key concerns centres on the techniques used to produce FCS. It is manufactured from blood that has been harvested from calves which are removed from a cow's uterus after slaughter of the dam. Usually, the blood is obtained by cardiac puncture without the use of anaesthesia.. There is increasing evidence that calves may be alive and, if they have breathed in air, may have normal brain function during the blood collection process. As a result the calves could experience suffering until death occurs (Mellor & Gregory, 2003). FCS is a popular supplement for cell culture media because it provides essential components, such as growth factors, vitamins and hormones. Currently, the demand for FCS is so high that between 1 and 2 million calves per year are required for its production. The widespread use of FCS has led FoA to begin a campaign aimed at encouraging researchers to switch to serum-free media where possible, by highlighting the animal welfare concerns and technical problems associated with FCS use.

One of the major scientific drawbacks of the use of FCS is that its components are largely undefined, making the control of cell culture conditions difficult. Laboratories may have to undertake testing on each batch before use, because of the variability between batches. In turn, batch variability can reduce the comparability of experiments and can make it difficult for studies to be reproduced. The prevention of the introduction of a biological contaminant into laboratory culture systems remains a key concern of researchers, and FCS could potentially introduce a wide range of contaminants (eg micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi) because of the way blood is collected. Indeed, due to the risk of contamination posed by FCS, regulatory agencies already discourage or ban the use of animal sera for the production of biological products for human use. The scientific case for researchers to find a better alternative is a strong one.

From a scientific viewpoint, serum-free media have many advantages. A range of chemically defined serum-free media is available, in which many cell types can be cultured. The use of serum-free media ensures that variability between batches is minimised, and improves the comparability and repeatability of experiments. It also ensures that one potential source of biological contamination is removed. From an animal welfare perspective, whilst serum-free media, by definition, may not be free of all serum-derived products, some types of serum-free media are produced which do not involve the use of any animal products.

To encourage researchers to consider alternatives to FCS, FoA has compiled a table of suppliers of serum-free media, which can be accessed via the FoA website at http://www.focusonalternatives.org.uk. Serum-free media that are entirely free of animal-derived components are specifically highlighted in the table. FoA would like to invite researchers who could suggest ways in which FoA could promote the use of serum-free media further, to contact FoA via the website.

http://www.nca-nl.org/English/Lnews/SERUM-FREE.pdf
http://invitrogen.com/content/sfs/broch ... aforCC.pdf


References
Mellor, D.J. and Gregory, N.G. (2003). Responsiveness, behavioural arousal and awareness in fetal and newborn lambs: experimental, practical and therapeutic implications. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 51 2-13.

University of Minnesota

Human embryonic stem cells promising for replacement of blood supply
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Stem Cell Institute are one step closer to understanding how blood cells develop through the use of human embryonic stem cells. The research better defines the conditions under which blood cell development occurs, making the process easier to replicate. The findings are published in the October issue of Experimental Hematology.
"These findings do more than give us a basic understanding of blood cell replacement--they allow us to consider potential future therapies," said Dan Kaufman, M.D., assistant professor of medicine in the division of hematology, oncology and lead researcher. "We can envision blood therapies completely compatible with the patient, such as use of embryonic stem cells to make red blood cells for platelets used in blood transfusions, or a source of new blood supply free of any viruses. They might also be a source for bone marrow transplants, especially for those patients who do not otherwise have an appropriately matched donor."

This process is also significant because the blood cells were developed without the use of animal serum, which was previously thought to be essential for blood cell development. Instead, specific growth factors are added to guide the cell differentiation. These results are important for potential human application. Animal serum can potentially contaminate findings and create complications for human trials.

Kaufman's research interests focus on hematopoietic and endothelial cell development from human and non-human primate embryonic stem cells. This research uses embryonic stem cells to understand the earliest stages of blood cell development.


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http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/ ... 102904.php