Organotypic culture of bone-like structures using composite ceramic-fibrin scaffolds

Journal article

We have developed an organotypic culture system that allows the production of bone tissue features at the cm scale. A composite, calcium phosphate-strained fibrin gel system is able to organise itself in the presence of osteoblastic cells, creating basic hierarchical units as seen in vivo, and can be modified to produce a range of other tissues that require such directional structuring. Constructs evolve over time into multi-compositional structures containing a high mineral content and terminally differentiated, osteocyte-like cells. These tissues can be cultured over extended durations (exceeding 1 year) and are responsive to a variety of chemical and biological agents. The platform can reduce the number of animals used in experimentation by acting as an intermediate stage in which more personalised research conditions can be generated. We provide a thorough description of the protocol used to successfully culture and modify this system as well as guidance on compositional characterisation.

Authors: Iordachescu, A; Williams, R; Hulley, P; Grover, L

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Wiley
• Journal: Current Protocols in Stem Cell Biology
• Volume: 48
• Issue: 1
• Pages: e79
• Publication date: 2019-01-14
• Acceptance date: 2018-12-17
• DOI: 10.1002/cpsc.79
• EISSN: 1938-8969
• Keywords: biomaterials; bone; osteocytes; organotypic culture; self-organisation