Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
dissociate the hydrogel and collect the immobilized cells. After dissociation of the
PMBV/PVA hydrogel, the recovered cells were collected by centrifugation, and the
survival ratio was evaluated.
To evaluate cell proliferation in the hydrogel, the L929 cells were immobilized
at a density of 1.0
10
5
cells/mL. As a control sample, L929 cells were seeded
onto a conventional cell culture plate at a density of 0.5
10
4
cells/mL.
4.2 Morphology of Cells in the Hydrogels
The shape and morphology of the L929 cells were observed using a phase contrast
microscope. The L929 cells proliferated and formed cell clusters derived by expan-
sion of a single cell without forming aggregations in the PMBV/PVA hydrogel.
After 7 days encapsulated without changing the medium for fresh medium, the
PMBV/PVA hydrogel was dissociated by the addition of
D
-sorbitol solution, and the
L929 cells recovered from the PMBV/PVA hydrogel and seeded on a conventional
cell culture plate of tissue-culture polystyrene (TCPS). Figure
7
shows phase contrast
microscopic images of the L929 cells on TCPS and in the PMBV/PVA hydrogel. The
L929 cells adhered, spread, and proliferated on the TCPS. On the other hand, mor-
phology of the L929 cells kept a round shape during the culture period. Figure
8
shows
a phase contrast image of the L929 cells recovered from the PMBV/PVA hydrogel. It
was possible to recover the cell clusters derived by expansion of single cells.
4.3 Proliferation of Encapsulated Cells
Figure
9
shows the proliferation of cells encapsulated in the PMBV/PVA hydrogel.
The encapsulated cells (L929) did not proliferate with the excessive proliferation
seen on the TCPS. The encapsulated cells were recovered from the PMBV/PVA
3 hours
2 days
4 days
6 days
On TCPS
In PMBV/PVA
hydrogel
Fig. 7 Phase contrast microscope images of fibroblast (L929) cells on TCPS and in the PMBV/
PVA hydrogel
