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Microfabrication of Chip-sized Scaffolds for Three-dimensional Cell cultivation
Published on: May 12, 2008
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Microchip-based 3D-Cell Culture Using Polymer Nanofibers Generated by Solution Blow Spinning.
Chengpeng Chen1, Alexandra D Townsend1, Scott A Sell2
1Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University.
Analytical Methods : Advancing Methods and Applications
|July 11, 2017
Summary
Solution blow spinning creates polymer nano/microfibers for 3D cell culture. This technique offers a portable alternative to electrospinning, enabling advanced microchip-based cell models that better mimic the extracellular matrix.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Cell Biology
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Polymer nano/microfibers are crucial for applications like 3D cell culture and wound dressings.
- Electrospinning, a common fiber production method, has drawbacks including high voltage requirements and lack of portability.
- Solution blow spinning offers a voltage-free alternative for generating polymer fibers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and optimize polymer nano/microfibers using solution blow spinning for microchip-based 3D cell culture.
- To investigate the integration of these fibers into microfluidic devices for advanced cell culture models.
- To evaluate the biocompatibility and performance of the fabricated scaffolds with relevant cell types.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 3D printed gas sheath device for solution blow spinning of polycaprolactone (PCL) and polystyrene (PS) fibers.
- Investigated the effects of nitrogen gas pressure and polymer concentration on fiber morphology.
- Integrated PCL and PS fibers into microfluidic devices for 3D cell culture applications.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated PCL and PS nano/microfibers, with fiber formation dependent on gas pressure and polymer concentration.
- Demonstrated direct deposition of PCL fibers for 3D cell culture, showing good compatibility with RAW 264.7 macrophages.
- Fabricated the first PCL fiber-based 3D scaffold in a microfluidic device, which enhanced macrophage response to stimulation compared to 2D cultures.
- Cultured endothelial cells on PS fiber scaffolds in microfluidic devices, maintaining viability for over 72 hours.
Conclusions:
- Solution blow spinning with a 3D printed device is an effective method for producing polymer fibers for 3D cell culture.
- The integrated fibrous scaffolds in microfluidic devices provide a more realistic in vitro model for studying cell behavior and communication.
- This technology holds promise for future research in microchip-based cell culture and disease modeling.
