Why use 3D models in regenerative medicine?
Cells grown in 3D are more representative of real cells in the body (in vivo) than those cultured in 2D models (in vitro), especially with respect to the cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions that influence molecular targets, uptake, and cellular metabolism of drugs. Cells in 3D have a more “natural” shape and structure (ellipsoids of 10-30 μm instead of flat cells of 3 μm), and nearly all of their surface area is exposed to other cells or matrix, while cells in 2D have most of their surface area exposed to fluid and the flat culture surface. Difference in cell behaviour between the systems has been demonstrated in many functions including differentiation, drug metabolism, proliferation, and viability. Morphogenesis, angiogenesis and tissue invasion occur exclusively in 3D. In order to grow and differentiate in 3D, cells need to be supported by a scaffold.
Cross-section of our randomly orientated electrospun fibres containing human primary fibroblasts, which have proliferated and migrated to form a 3D cell structure. Cells were stained with DAPI to indicate the nuclei.
Cell culture on our electrospun fibres
Our electrospun scaffolds have been validated with a number of different cell types including primary cells and stem cells. Some examples include:
| Primary Cells | Cell Lines | Stem Cells |
|---|---|---|
| Human dermal fibroblasts | ARPE 19 human retinal pigment epithelium | Human mesenchymal stem cells |
| Human dermal keratinocytes | PC3 prostate cancer | Human embryonic stem cells |
| Human chondrocytes | HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma | Neural stem cells |
| Human smooth muscle cells | ROS 17/2.8 rat osteosarcoma | |
| PC12 rat pheochromocytoma |
Primary Dermal Fibroblasts and Keratinocytes
Primary dermal fibroblasts were cultured on our randomly orientated fibre scaffold and images were taken after 24 hours and 7 days. After 7 days in culture, cells had proliferated extensively ...
Neural Stem Cells
The topology of our scaffold matrix supports the growth of complex cell types such as neural stem cells which are commonly cultured in 2D on tissue culture plastic.
Retinal Pigment Epithelium
Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE19) formed a monolayer on our standard randomly orientated fibre scaffolds and were nearly confluent after 72 hours. The open porous nature of our electrospun fibre membrane increased ...
