Laser Printing of Three-Dimensional Multicellular Arrays for Studies of Cell–Cell and Cell–Environment Interactions

Utilization of living cells for therapies in regenerative medicine requires a fundamental understanding of the interactions between different cells and their environment. Moreover, common models based on adherent two-dimensional cultures are not appropriate to simulate the complex interactions that...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tissue engineering. Part C, Methods Methods, 2011-10, Vol.17 (10), p.973-982
Main Authors: Gruene, Martin, Pflaum, Michael, Hess, Christian, Diamantouros, Stefanos, Schlie, Sabrina, Deiwick, Andrea, Koch, Lothar, Wilhelmi, Mathias, Jockenhoevel, Stefan, Haverich, Axel, Chichkov, Boris
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
3-D technology
Animals
Cattle
Cell Communication - drug effects
Cell Count
Cell culture
Cell Proliferation - drug effects
Cellular biology
Coculture Techniques
Colony-Forming Units Assay
Endothelial Cells - cytology
Endothelial Cells - drug effects
Endothelial Cells - metabolism
Endothelium
Humans
Laser printers
Lasers
Microscopy, Confocal
Microscopy, Fluorescence
Neovascularization, Physiologic - drug effects
Physiological aspects
Stem cells
Tissue engineering
Tissue Engineering - instrumentation
Tissue Engineering - methods
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - pharmacology
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Summary:Utilization of living cells for therapies in regenerative medicine requires a fundamental understanding of the interactions between different cells and their environment. Moreover, common models based on adherent two-dimensional cultures are not appropriate to simulate the complex interactions that occur in a three-dimensional (3D) cell–microenvironment in vivo . In this study, we present a computer-aided method for the printing of multiple cell types in a 3D array using laser-assisted bioprinting. By printing spots of human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), we demonstrate that (i) these cell spots can be arranged layer-by-layer in a 3D array; (ii) any cell–cell ratio, cell quantity, cell-type combination, and spot spacing can be realized within this array; and (iii) the height of the 3D array is freely scalable. As a proof of concept, we printed separate spots of ASCs and ECFCs within a 3D array and observed cell–cell interactions in vascular endothelial growth factor-free medium. It has been demonstrated that direct cell–cell contacts trigger the development of stable vascular-like networks. This method can be applied to study complex and dynamic relationships between cells and their local environment.
ISSN:1937-3384
1937-3392
DOI:10.1089/ten.tec.2011.0185