Microwell chips (25 mm × 25 mm) are fabricated to select proper substrates for growing three-dimensional (3D) spheroids from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Different bio-macromolecules and their combinations are immobilized on the chip by air plasma treatment and by polyelectrolyte interaction. Only a small number of MSCs (≈10(5) ) are needed for each chip. The expression level of N-cadherin, a cell-adhesion molecule, is used as an indicator for cell-cell interactions. MSC spheroids expressing the highest N-cadherin level also show the greatest osteogenic potential. The microwell chip may be used as an efficient platform to screen bio-macromolecules that enhance the differentiation potential of MSCs.
Keywords: biopolymers; chitosan; mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs); microwell chips; spheroids.
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