Issue 24, 2022

Porous yet dense matrices: using ice to shape collagen 3D cell culture systems with increased physiological relevance

Abstract

Standard in vitro cell cultures are one of the pillars of biomedical sciences. However, there is increasing evidence that 2D systems provide biological responses that are often in disagreement with in vivo observations, partially due to limitations in reproducing the native cellular microenvironment. 3D materials that are able to mimic the native cellular microenvironment to a greater extent tackle these limitations. Here, we report Porous yet Dense (PyD) type I collagen materials obtained by ice-templating followed by topotactic fibrillogenesis. These materials combine extensive macroporosity, favouring the cell migration and nutrient exchange, as well as dense collagen walls, which mimic locally the extracellular matrix. When seeded with Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts (NHDFs), PyD matrices allow for faster and more extensive colonisation when compared with equivalent non-porous matrices. The textural properties of the PyD materials also impact cytoskeletal and nuclear 3D morphometric parameters. Due to the effectiveness in creating a biomimetic 3D environment for NHDFs and the ability to promote cell culture for more than 28 days without subculture, we anticipate that PyD materials could configure an important step towards in vitro systems applicable to other cell types and with higher physiological relevance.

Graphical abstract: Porous yet dense matrices: using ice to shape collagen 3D cell culture systems with increased physiological relevance

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
01 mar 2022
Accepted
05 ago 2022
First published
08 ago 2022

Biomater. Sci., 2022,10, 6939-6950

Porous yet dense matrices: using ice to shape collagen 3D cell culture systems with increased physiological relevance

C. Parisi, B. Thiébot, G. Mosser, L. Trichet, P. Manivet and F. M. Fernandes, Biomater. Sci., 2022, 10, 6939 DOI: 10.1039/D2BM00313A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements