Fabrication of a cell culture scaffold that mimics the composition and structure of bone marrow extracellular matrix

Cell culture models that mimic tissue environments are useful for cell and extracellular matrix (ECM) function analysis. Decellularized tissues with tissue-specific ECM are expected to be applied as cell culture scaffolds, however, it is often difficult for seeded cells to permeate their structures. In this study, we evaluated the adhesion and proliferation of mouse fibroblasts seeded onto decellularized bone marrow scaffolds that we fabricated from adult and fetal porcine. Decellularized fetal bone marrow displays more cell attachment and faster cell proliferation than decellularized adult bone marrow. Our findings suggest that decellularized fetal bone marrow is useful as a cell culture scaffold with bone marrow ECM and structure.