PubMed · 15038925
Microscale tissue engineering using gravity-enforced cell assembly.
Abstract
Designing artificial microtissues by reaggregation of monodispersed primary cells, neoplastic or engineered cell lines is providing insight into cell-cell interactions and underlying regulatory networks. Recent advances in microtissue production have highlighted the potential of scaffold-free cell aggregates in maintaining tissue-specific functionality, supporting seamless integration of implants into host tissues, and providing complex feeder structures for difficult-to-differentiate cell types. Furthermore, these tissues are amenable to therapeutic and phenotype-modulating interventions using latest-generation transduction technologies. Microtissues produce therapeutic transgenes at increased levels and offer tissue-like assay environments to improve drug-function correlations in current discovery programs. Here, we outline scaffold-free microtissue design in liver, heart and cartilage, and discuss how this technology could significantly impact regenerative medicine.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Jens M Kelm, Martin Fussenegger. 2004. Microscale tissue engineering using gravity-enforced cell assembly.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2004.02.002
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.