Novel Micro and Nanofiber Microenvironment for Stem Cell Cultures

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are widely studied for their applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. hPSCs have the potential to self-renew and differentiate into a wide variety of specialized cells, processes that are heavily influenced by the extracellular microenvironment. Traditionally, hPSCs are grown in a two-dimensional system, such as cell culture wells or dishes. Newer three-dimensional cell culture platforms facilitate the interaction of hPSCs with their microenvironment in a manner that more closely mimics that of the human body. However, many of the current systems are limited in that they control crucial environmental elements such as nutrient levels and pH at the macroscopic level, but overlook the precise control of the cellular microenvironment.
Researchers from Kyoto University have developed a specialized cell culture platform called Multiplexed Artificial Cellular Microenvironment (MACME) array, which consists of gelatin nanofibers that mimic cell matrices, placed within micro-chambers filled with cell culture medium. The size of the fluid-filled micro-chambers is optimized to closely resemble the extracellular microenvironment and maximize cell survival and replication. The MACME array enables high-throughput screening and may be an economical alternative to conventional cell culture systems due to the significant reduction in fluid (culture medium) requirements.

Fonte: http://www.medgadget.com/2017/03/novel-micro-nanofiber-microenvironment-stem-cell-cultures.html

Cometário do Bloguista:  A manutenção e sobrevivência das células estaminais é regulada principalmente pelas contribuições dos microambientes, sendo os métodos convencionais inadequados uma abordagem alternativa é necessária para obter culturas celulares de qualidade.
Investigadores da Universidade de Kyoto produziram uma nova matriz, MACME, que consiste em nanofibras de gelatina que imitam matrizes de células, colocadas dentro de microcâmaras cheias de meio de cultura celular.
Esta matriz possui grande potencial para uso na modelagem de ambientes celulares para desenvolvimento e estudos biológicos de células e descoberta/rastreio de fármacos, não só permitirá a triagem de materiais e condições necessárias para obter funções de células de interesse, mas também ajudará a entender como novos materiais desenvolvidos influenciam comportamentos celulares e redes de genes funcionais, podendo ser uma alternativa económica aos sistemas de cultura de células convencionais devido à redução significativa no meio de cultura.