Closer to Nature Through Dynamic Culture Systems

Abstract

Mechanics in the human body are required for normal cell function at a molecular level. It is now clear that mechanical stimulations play significant roles in cell growth, differentiation, and migration in normal and diseased cells. Recent studies have led to the discovery that normal and cancer cells have different mechanosensing properties. Here, we discuss the application and the physiological and pathological meaning of mechanical stimulations. To reveal the optimal conditions for mimicking an in vivo microenvironment, we must, therefore, discern the mechanotransduction occurring in cells.

Physiological Shear Stress Enhances Differentiation, Mucus-Formation and Structural 3D Organization of Intestinal Epithelial Cells In Vitro

“…The geometry of the chamber was shaped to generate homogenous laminar flow on the cell surface with adjustable physiological shear stresses. By varying the height of the flow channel from 0.15 to 6 mm, we mathematically approximated an applicable range of wall shear stresses from 0.004 to 29.7 dyn•cm −2 (4•10 −4 to 2.97 Pa; Equation (1)), which resembles the physiological shear stresses of a variety of human organs and blood vessels [36], opening up the opportunity to cultivate cells from various origins under their respective physiological flow conditions to generate more realistic tissue mimicking models [37]. The obtained values were further validated and the fluid flow behavior within the chambers was characterized via CFD-simulations, which revealed differences between simulated and calculated values, with the latter being slightly overestimated (Table S1).…”

Modularized dynamic cell culture platform for efficient production of extracellular vesicles and sequential analysis

“…This results in inhibited cell growth and enhanced toxicity, which limits its use as a therapeutic tool owing to its lack of biological relevance to cells in vivo . 24 Therefore, the dissolved oxygen and lactate concentrations were measured to present the similarity between the modularized system and the cellular microenvironment.…”

Development of In Vitro Model to Elucidate the Mechanism of Cancer Development by Mechano-stress Induced by Sonic Stimulation

“…Several devices have been developed to apply mechano-stress to cultured cells in vitro. (2)(3)(4)(5) However, the frequency of mechano-stress generated by these devices is 0.5-1 Hz since the mechano-stress is applied to cultured cells by stretching the elastic culture apparatus with linear actuators. This is because the target tissues of these devices are the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, and so forth, which are not subject to high-frequency stimulation.…”