Tissue-specific micropattern array chips fabricated via decellularized ECM for 3D cell culture
Xinglong Zhu,
Yi Li,
Hulin Long,
Zuoyu Liang,
Yuting He,
Yanyan Zhou,
Shun Li,
Ji Bao
Affiliations
Xinglong Zhu
Department of Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
Yi Li
Institute of Respiratory Health, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Precision Medicine Key Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
Hulin Long
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
Zuoyu Liang
Department of Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
Yuting He
Department of Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
Yanyan Zhou
Department of Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
Shun Li
Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610054, China
Ji Bao
Department of Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Corresponding author.
Multicellular three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models, such as cell spheroids and organoids, can significantly improve the viability, histomorphology, genotype stability, function and drug metabolism of cells [1–3]. In general, several culture methods of 3D models, including the hanging drop, microwell-mesh and hydrogel encapsulating methods, have difficulty building a standard mode and controlling the size and arrangement of cell spheroids or organoids, which could severely affect the authenticity and repeatability of experimental results [4]. Another key factor in 3D in vitro models is the extracellular matrix (ECM), which can determine cell viability, proliferation, differentiation, function, migration and organization [5]. In this study, micropattern array chips combined with decellularized ECM (dECM) not only provide tissue-specific ECM but also control the size and arrangement of 3D models. • Methods have been established to demonstrate the use of dECM as a bioink to generate dECM-coated micropattern array chips by microcontact printing. • The micropattern can limit cell growth and migration, and cells spontaneously assemble into cell spheroids with uniform size and orderly arrangement.
