Development of Polyethylene Glycol-based Hydrogels Optimized for In Vitro 3D Culture of HepG2 Hepatocarcinoma Cells

초록

Background/Aim: We report an in vitro three-dimensional (3D) culture system optimized for the growth of HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells. Materials and Methods: The 3D culture system was fabricated based on polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogels; their mechanical strength was controlled by differences in the arm number and concentration of PEG-vinylsulfone. Moreover, cellular growth was evaluated after culturing HepG2 cells in PEG -based hydrogels with various mechanical strengths. Results: HepG2 cell culture in the 3D PEG-based hydrogels induced the formation of spherical colonies. Moreover, the highest number of spherical colonies formed from HepG2 cells at the single-cell level, and the formation of spherical colonies with a uniform size was observed in HepG2 cells cultured in 5% (w/v) 8-arm PEG-based hydrogels. Conclusion: 5% (w/v) 8 -arm PEG-based hydrogels may be developed as a 3D culture system optimized for stimulating the in vitro growth of HepG2 cells.

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