Exp Neurobiol.  2011 Jun;20(2):110-115. 10.5607/en.2011.20.2.110.

Simple and Novel Three Dimensional Neuronal Cell Culture Using a Micro Mesh Scaffold

• Yoo SJ
• Kim J
• Lee CS
• Nam Y

• KMID: 2052823
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5607/en.2011.20.2.110

Abstract

Conventional method of cell culture studies has been performed on two-dimensional substrates. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture platforms have been a subject of interest as cells in 3D has significant differences in cell differentiation and behavior. Here we report a novel approach of 3D cell culture using a nylon micro mesh (NMM) as a cell culture scaffold. NMM is commonly used in cell culture laboratory, which eliminates the requirement of special technicality for biological laboratories. Furthermore, it is made of a micro-meter thick nylon fibers, which was adequate to engineer in cellular scales. We demonstrate the feasibility of the NMM as a 3D scaffold using E18 rat hippocampal neurons. NMM could be coated with cell adhesive coatings (polylysine or polyelectrolyte) and neurons showed good viability. Cells were also encapsulated in an agarose hydrogel and cultured in 3D using NMM. In addition, the 3D pattern of NMM could be used as a guidance cue for neurite outgrowth. The flexible and elastic properties of NMMs made it easier to handle the scaffold and also readily applicable for large-scale tissue engineering applications.

Keyword

3D culture; scaffold; micro mesh; neuronal culture; 3D cell patterning

MeSH Terms

Adhesives
Animals
Cell Culture Techniques
Cell Differentiation
Cues
Hydrogel
Neurites
Neurons
Nylons
Rats
Sepharose
Tissue Engineering
Weights and Measures
Adhesives
Hydrogel
Nylons
Sepharose