A tissue-like culture system using microstructures: Influence of extracellular matrix material on cell adhesion and aggregation

Special microenvironmental conditions are required to induce and/or maintai n specific qualities of differentiated cells. Art important parameter is th e three-dimensional tissue architecture that cannot be reproduced in conven tional monolayer systems. Advanced tissue culture systems will meet many of these demands, but may reach their limits, especially when gradients of sp ecific substances over distinct tissue layers must be established for long- term culture. These limitations may be overcome by incorporating microstruc tures into tissue-like culture systems. The microstructured cell support pr esented consists of a flat array of 625 cubic microcontainers with porous b ottoms, in which cells can be supplied with specific media from both sides of the tissue layer. Permanent cell lines and primary rat hepatocytes have been used to test the culture system. In order to define reproducible condi tions for tissue formation and for cell adherence to the structure, several ECM (extracellular matrix) components were tested for coating of microstru ctured substrata. The described tissue culture system offers great flexibil ity in adapting the cell support to specific needs.