Scaffolds for 3D Cell Culture and Cellular Agriculture Applications Derived From Non-animal Sources

Abstract

For decades, two-dimensional cell culture has been regarded as a major tool in cellular and molecular biology due to its simplicity, reproducibility and reliable nature. However, it is now recognized that 2D cell culture underrepresents the in vivo environment of living cells. The development and use of 3D scaffolds and biomaterials provide researchers an ability to more closely mimic the in vivo environment. However, many biomaterials are of animal origin, leading to variability, environmental and ethical concerns. Here we present three animal-free scaffolds: decellularized plant tissue, chitin/chitosan and recombinant collagen. Decellularized plant tissue provides a wide array of structures with varying biochemical, topographical and mechanical properties; chitin/chitosan-based scaffolds have shown synergistic bactericidal effects and improved cell-matrix interaction; and lastly, recombinant collagen has the potential to closely resemble native tissue, as opposed to the other two. These benefits, alongside potential scalability and tunability, open the door to applications beyond the biomedical realm, such as innovations in cellular agriculture and future food technologies.

A novel culture method that sustains ERα signaling in human breast cancer tissue microstructures

“…Recently, Muraro et al reported high cell viability and maintenance of ER expression up to 14 days in culture, when combining a collagen scaffold and a medium perfusion system [8]. Nonetheless, this methodology supports BC tissue maintenance by taking advantage of collagen scaffolds, biologically active animal-derived biomaterials which bring variability, as well as environmental and ethical concerns [11].…”

Repositioning Natural Antioxidants for Therapeutic Applications in Tissue Engineering

“…As animal-derived matrices have to deal with xenogenic and ethical issues [ 36 ], plant-derived matrices are a worthy option. Matrices obtainable via plant tissue decellularization [ 37 ] are extremely challenging in the tissue engineering field and scaffolding for 3D cell cultures, however, they could need smart functionalization because of some lack of biochemical mammalian cues [ 38 ]. Strategically, plant-derived scaffolds and decellularized matrices [ 39 ] are biocompatible [ 40 ], bioprintable [ 41 ], and suitable to induce human stem cell differentiation [ 42 ] like osteogenesis from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).…”

Neurite guidance and neuro-caging on steps and grooves in 2.5 dimensions

“…Moreover, such fabrication routes only make use of materials of synthetic nature and are thus free from ethical concerns and of general interest in the eld. 37 In future, ethical concerns could be further minimized by the application of induced stem cellderived neurons which have been demonstrated to be cultivatable on microstructured substrates as well. 38,39 In this work, we combine established technologies, namely grayscale lithography (GSL) and ultraviolet nano-imprint lithography (UV-NIL) with reactive ion etching (RIE) to prepare readily reproducible and cost-effective modulated surfaces.…”