Continuously microscopically observed and process-controlled cell culture within the SlideReactor: proof of a new concept for cell characterization.
Certain cell types, especially primary human cells, favor a well-defined culture environment offering continuous supply of nutrients and oxygen and waste product removal. Several bioreactors based on special matrices or hollow fibers have been developed that provide such conditions. However, characterization of matrix re-organization or growth of tissue within these systems is possible only after culture termination. Evaluation of the influence of certain medium additives or culture conditions (e.g., temperature, oxygenation) on cell viability, expansion, and differentiation within these systems remains a challenging task. The SlideReactor, a miniaturized hollow fiber-based bioreactor, was developed to enable the observation of cells during culture. An operation concept offering predefined conditions for various cell types has been designed. For proof of concept, primary human cells (hepatocytes, fibroblasts, keratinocytes) and cell lines (HepG2, HuH7, C3A, WiDr, SkHep1) were cultured and observed. A series of experiments (n=40) showed the feasibility of the set-up; determination of process parameters and continuous observation is possible. The SlideReactor may serve as a simple and cost-efficient tool for cell characterization and optimization of cell-culture conditions.
Schwartlander
Ruth
R
Department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, Charité-Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. ruth.schwartlander@charite.de
Schmid
Jochen
J
Brandenburg
Börries
B
Katenz
Ekaterina
E
Vondran
Florian Wolfgang Rudolf
FW
Pless
Gesine
G
Cheng
Xiangdong
X
Pascher
Andreas
A
Neuhaus
Peter
P
Sauer
Igor Maximilian
IM
D019149:Bioreactors; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D002460:Cell Line; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D018715:Microscopy, Video / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure