title: A novel method of encapsulating and cultivating adherent mammalian cells within collagen microcarriers.
abstract: A novel method of preparing collagen microcarriers was developed and used to entrap adherent cells for cell culturing. This new technique involved seeding of cells in micro gel beads comprised of collagen fibrils dispersed in alginate. The gel beads were washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) to remove alginate and the resulting microspheres, about 300-500 microm in diameter, contained evenly distributed collagen fibrils which provided a 3D biomimetic environment for cell growth. The applicability of this microencapsulating system was demonstrated by its ability to support the growth of C2C12 myoblast cells. When seeded and cultured within the 3D collagen microcarriers, the population of C2C12 cells entrapped within the microcarriers increased by 1.5 folds in 7 days after inoculation. This encapsulation technique is potentially useful for culturing cells and especially useful for adherent cells that require a 3D fibrillar collagen environment.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ta-Jen
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hsiu-Hsuan
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yuan-Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Shaw-Ruey
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lyu
authors.forename: Yng Jiin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry*; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D032446:Myoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003094:Collagen