Growth of animal cells on flexible interface of liquid fluorocarbon

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study BHK-21 fibroblasts cultured on the interfacial area of two immiscible liquids: perfluorodecalin (hydrophobic; PFD) and cell culture medium (aqueous; DMEM) what allows creating 3-D multicellular structures. We showed that the robust growth of 3-D aggregated animal cells could be achieved on flexible PFD/DMEM interfacial area. We also indicated that 3-D aggregates of BHK-21 cells could be successfully subcultured on solid hydrophobic surface and cells could migrate from those multicellular structures, spread on solid surface and further grow in typical monolayered form. Results of our experiments showed that the PFD/medium system is simple and ready-to-use method without need of any inserts traditionally used for 3-D cultures of animal cells. Formed multicellular 3-D aggregates could be directly used in the same culture system for inoculation of biomaterial elements or scaffolds