Chip-based three-dimensional cell culture in perfused micro-bioreactors.
We have developed a chip-based cell culture system for the three-dimensional cultivation of cells. The chip is typically manufactured from non-biodegradable polymers, e.g., polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate by micro injection molding, micro hot embossing or micro thermo-forming. But, it can also be manufactured from bio-degradable polymers. Its overall dimensions are 0.7 1 x 20 x 20 x 0.7 1 mm (h x w x l). The main features of the chips used are either a grid of up to 1156 cubic micro-containers (cf-chip) each the size of 120-300 x 300 x 300 micron (h x w x l) or round recesses with diameters of 300 micron and a depth of 300 micron (r-chip). The scaffold can house 10 Mio. cells in a three-dimensional configuration. For an optimal nutrient and gas supply, the chip is inserted in a bioreactor housing. The bioreactor is part of a closed sterile circulation loop that, in the simplest configuration, is additionally comprised of a roller pump and a medium reservoir with a gas supply. The bioreactor can be run in perfusion, superfusion, or even a mixed operation mode. We have successfully cultivated cell lines as well as primary cells over periods of several weeks. For rat primary liver cells we could show a preservation of organotypic functions for more than 2 weeks. For hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines we could show the induction of liver specific genes not or only slightly expressed in standard monolayer culture. The system might also be useful as a stem cell cultivation system since first differentiation experiments with stem cell lines were promising.
Gottwald
Eric
E
Institute for Biological Interfaces, Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe. eric.gottwald@ibg.fzk.de
Lahni
Brigitte
B
Thiele
David
D
Giselbrecht
Stefan
S
Welle
Alexander
A
Weibezahn
Karl-Friedrich
KF
D000818:Animals; D019149:Bioreactors; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D046228:Microarray Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats