Structural and Biochemical Features of Human Serum Albumin Essential for Eukaryotic Cell Culture

Abstract

Serum albumin physically interacts with fatty acids, small molecules, metal ions, and several other proteins. Binding with a plethora of bioactive substances makes it a critical transport molecule. Albumin also scavenges the reactive oxygen species that are harmful to cell survival. These properties make albumin an excellent choice to promote cell growth and maintain a variety of eukaryotic cells under in vitro culture environment. Furthermore, purified recombinant human serum albumin is mostly free from impurities and modifications, providing a perfect choice as an additive in cell and tissue culture media while avoiding any regulatory constraints. This review discusses key features of human serum albumin implicated in cell growth and survival under in vitro conditions.

Effect of Ionic and Non-Ionic Surfactant on Bovine Serum Albumin Encapsulation and Biological Properties of Emulsion-Electrospun Fibers

“…Proteins and peptides are of significant interest among them, not only due to their impact on tissue regeneration (as they are a basic component of the cells) but also for their role in enzymatic catalysis, metabolic processes, signal transduction, and immune response. Human serum albumin (HSA) is one of the most abundant proteins in human plasma that performs dozens of important functions, including the transport of amino acids, fatty acids, steroids, and drugs; regulation of pH and oncotic blood pressure [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. It also removes harmful factors for the cell’s survival, such as reactive oxygen species, and protects them against lysis (in low concentrations such as 1 g/L), making it an excellent molecule for both in vitro (maintaining the eucaryotic cell cultures) and in vivo conditions.…”

In vitro assessment of the biocompatibility of chemically treated silicone materials with human lens epithelial cells

“…Similar to the response of HLEC in this study, dose response toxicity to ZDEC and BAK occurred and substantial toxicity to the cells were shown at 0.01% ZDEC and 0.1% BAK concentration. Comparing the sensitivity of various cell lines to each other could be undertaken in future investigations by performing the toxicity testing at similar serum levels as serum proteins can bind to toxins and other bioactive substances 40 , 41 . Both HLEC and macrophage adhesion to ocular implants are important as HLEC adhesion causes posterior capsular opacification and macrophage adhesion results in a foreign-body reaction against the ocular implant 42 .…”

Graphene Oxide–Protein-Based Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering: Recent Advances and Applications

“…HSA includes three major domains, according to high-resolution X-ray crystallographic structures, and is the most abundant protein in plasma, accounting for approximately 60% of total plasma proteins, and it is known for being responsible for several functions. Some of these include maintaining colloid osmotic pressure and binding and transporting a wide range of ligands, including fatty acids, bilirubin, hormones, metal ions, and medicines [55,56]. An important application for this protein is also found in cell differentiation, especially in recent years, and significant studies have been carried out on processes such as the regulation of osteogenic differentiation [57].…”