Three-dimensional matrix for long-term animal cell culture

PROJECT

Research includes the development of cell encapsulation techniques for long-term in vivo culture with immuno-isolation in hydrogel structures. The proposed approach would solve the problem of the lack of cell donors, because it would enable transplants between species, further reduce the risk of transplant rejection and the need for immunosuppressive drugs. The above solution would be widely used for the transplantation of encapsulated donor cells for the regeneration of tissue (bone, cartilage), to support the work of dysfunctional organs, e.g. in the treatment of type 1 diabetes (transplantation of Langerhans cells) or Parkinson's disease (transplantation of choroid plexus cells) or in hormonal therapy after thyroidectomy (transplantation of parathyroid cells).

The aim of this work is to investigate the influence of the biomimetic hydrogel matrix containing synthetic oxygen carrier used in long-term, three-dimensional in vitro cell culture for viability, morphology and metabolism of the cultured cells. The matrix is designed to mimic the natural originated extracellular matrix (ECM). Moreover the structure of the matrix provides free diffusion of nutrients inside the matrix and at the same time secretion of the metabolites of the encapsulated cells and immunoisolation. The synthetic oxygen carrier in the matrix is employed to face the widely reported problem appearing in 3D cell cultures- insufficient oxygen level and occurring necrotic zones in cell aggregates. The project involves also investigation of the matrix structure influence on the cell morphology, metabolism and proliferation during the culture, which allow to distinguish the critical factors for long-term viability and metabolic activity of the cultured cells both in vitro and in vivo. Nowadays, development of the techniques and materials enabling long-term stable cell culture both in vitro and in vivo is a key challenge for the tissue engineering area.

Project: "Biomimetic hydrogel matrix for long-term cell culture", PRELUDIUM 2014/13 / N / ST8 / 00098, National Science Center

CONTACT

agata.stefanek.dokt@pw.edu.pl