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Multiphase matrix of silica, culture medium and air for 3D mammalian cell culture

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Abstract

The craving for multiphase materials with adjustable properties for mammalian cell encapsulation persists despite intensive research on 3D cell culture and tissue engineering. This interest is incited by the complex interaction between cells and different materials, various manufacturing methods, cell chip applications, and the aspiration to abolish animal experiments. This study aims to show the feasibility of preparing a stable multiphase material for prolonged mammalian cell embedment and 3D cell culture. The material comprises silica as the solid phase, cell culture medium with serum as the main liquid phase and air as the gas phase. The silica sol-cell culture medium-serum mixture was foamed, and it turned into a stable foamed hydrogel. The stability, flow properties and foaming parameters were studied by rheological and surface tension measurements. The viability of embedded cells was studied by measuring the metabolic activity at different time points. Their sensitivity to the surrounding conditions was compared to cells grown in monolayers by exposing them to a toxic compound. A stable foamed hydrogel with cell culture medium as the main liquid phase was prepared. Based on oscillatory measurements, the foamed hydrogel stays stable for at least 6–7 weeks and the embedded mammalian cells remain viable for the same time period. Appropriate surface tension and viscosity were crucial for an at least twofold volume increase by foaming, which is necessary for the mammalian cells to survive and proliferate. A test with a toxic compound reveals a difference in the sensitivity of cells in monolayer cultures versus embedded cells.

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Acknowledgments

This research was partly funded by the PWO fund of the Artesis Plantijn University College.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Lemminkäisenkatu 30, 20100, Turku, Finland

    Mika Jokinen, Tatu Assmuth, Tapio Metz, Hanna Lehtilä & Pekka Alanne

  2. Department of Science and Technology, Artesis Plantijn University College, Kronenburgstraat 47, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium

    Karen Pittois, Suzanne van den Akker & Inge Gutschoven

  3. Laboratory of Polymer Technology, Åbo Akademi University, Biskopsgatan 8, 20500, Turku, Finland

    Tatu Assmuth

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  1. Mika Jokinen
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  2. Karen Pittois
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  3. Suzanne van den Akker
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  4. Inge Gutschoven
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  5. Tatu Assmuth
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  6. Tapio Metz
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Correspondence to Mika Jokinen.

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Jokinen, M., Pittois, K., van den Akker, S. et al. Multiphase matrix of silica, culture medium and air for 3D mammalian cell culture. Cytotechnology 72, 271–282 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10616-020-00376-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10616-020-00376-w

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