Apple derived cellulose scaffolds for 3D mammalian cell culture.
There are numerous approaches for producing natural and synthetic 3D scaffolds that support the proliferation of mammalian cells. 3D scaffolds better represent the natural cellular microenvironment and have many potential applications in vitro and in vivo. Here, we demonstrate that 3D cellulose scaffolds produced by decellularizing apple hypanthium tissue can be employed for in vitro 3D culture of NIH3T3 fibroblasts, mouse C2C12 muscle myoblasts and human HeLa epithelial cells. We show that these cells can adhere, invade and proliferate in the cellulose scaffolds. In addition, biochemical functionalization or chemical cross-linking can be employed to control the surface biochemistry and/or mechanical properties of the scaffold. The cells retain high viability even after 12 continuous weeks of culture and can achieve cell densities comparable with other natural and synthetic scaffold materials. Apple derived cellulose scaffolds are easily produced, inexpensive and originate from a renewable source. Taken together, these results demonstrate that naturally derived cellulose scaffolds offer a complementary approach to existing techniques for the in vitro culture of mammalian cells in a 3D environment.
Centre for Interdisciplinary NanoPhysics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Daniel J
DJ
Modulevsky
Centre for Interdisciplinary NanoPhysics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Cory
C
Lefebvre
Centre for Interdisciplinary NanoPhysics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Kristina
K
Haase
Centre for Interdisciplinary NanoPhysics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Zeinab
Z
Al-Rekabi
Centre for Interdisciplinary NanoPhysics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Institute for Science, Society and Policy, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Andrew E
AE
Pelling
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002482:Cellulose / Q000032:analysis*; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D027845:Malus / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D032446:Myoblasts; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
D002482:Cellulose