Vero cells are used in the development of Covid-19 vaccines
Vero cells are used a lot in research and industry. Time to have a closer look at this cell line:
Vero cells are continuous cell lines that was derived from the kidney of an African green monkey in 1960s (6). It is one of the most common mammalian continuous cell lines used in research. Several lines of vero cells are commercially available but they are all derived from the same source. (1,2,3,4)
In research and industry vero cells are used for (1,2,3,4):
- Screening for toxins e.g. E.coli
- As host cells for growing viruses, for example: to examine the presence or absence of pharmaceuticals
- Virology studies in basic research
- Propagation and studying of intracellular bacteria and parasites
- Production of live (rotavirus, smallpox) and inactivated (poliovirus) viral vaccines
Inactivated SARS CoV 2 vaccine
For the development of a COVID-19 vaccine with an inactivated SARS CoV 2 virus, these vero cells are prepared by inoculating Verda Reno cells (Vero cell) with SARS CoV 2 WIV04. A strain from the wuhan institute of virology.
The cells are then cultured, harvested, inactivated, clarified, concentrated, second inactivated and purified. Aluminum hydroxide adjuvant is added. At the moment this vaccine is in phase III of clinical testings. (5)
Vero cells cultured with HPL showed superior growth and proliferation
“Results of cell viability showed that HPL was superior to FBS in supporting the growth and proliferation of Vero and Hep-2 cells.“ (6)
“The HPL prepared by the mechanical activation of platelets may serve as an efficient alternative to FBS in cell culture process.“ (7)
Results from vero cells cultivated with ELAREM™ Prime
Also vero cells cultivated with our ELAREM™ Prime Human Platelet Lysate showed increased proliferation:
1) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01249659
2) https://www.sciencenews.org/article/coronavirus-covid19-vaccine-ethical-issues
3) https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/vero-cell
4) https://www.vfa.de/de/englische-inhalte/vaccines-to-protect-against-covid-19
5) https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04612972
