Comparative Culturing of 3T3 Swiss J2 Mouse Embryo Fibroblasts on Modified Chitosan Matrices

Comparative culturing of mouse embryo fibroblasts on chitosan matrices and culture plastic was carried out. During the first 2 h of culturing (lag phase), cell adhesion to chitosan and chitosan-gelatin matrices was 20-30% higher than adhesion to culture plastic (control). During the stationary phase, 80% cells adhered to chitosan matrices (vs. 60% in the control). Cell culturing on chitosan matrices was carried out without medium replacement with fresh portions. The cells remained viable within 5 days of culturing. Cell death phase was observed on day 6 of culturing on chitosan matrices: cell adhesion dropped to 50%. Culturing on culture plastic was carried out with daily medium replacement with a fresh portion. Cell death phase (50% decrease in the number of adherent cell) under these condition was observed on day 5. It seems that the observed effect was a result of contact interactions of cell integrins and chitosan ligands, modulation of transmembrane signal, eventually modifying the expression of cell genes. This effect can be required in regenerative medicine for production of primary cell culture.