earticle

영어

Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture usually requires matrix for support, for example, scaffolds [1], or biocompatible gels [2]. We cultured mouse melanocyte at the air-medium interface based on magnetic levitation. Melanocyte B16F10 cells were transfected by fibroin microspheres that contained iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) and dissociated by trypsin. The cell suspensions were levitated using a neodymium magnet and incubated for extended period of time, which yielded multicellular 3D cell layer floating at the air-medium interface. Paraffin section of the cell layer revealed that thickness of the layer was 100 ~ 200 μm, corresponding to several cells. The floating 3D melanocyte culture produced more melanin than those in monolayer culture. Melanin production also increased with the size of disc-shaped cell layers that increased up to 2.5 cm in diameter at day 10 after magnetic levitation. Hematoxylin and eosin sections of the 3D cell culture shows elongated nuclei and eosinophilic layer at the periphery. The results show that magnetically levitated melanocyte cells formed a disc-shaped 3D cell structure at the air-medium interface under scaffold-free conditions; this can be used to explore melanin formation, cell migration, and cell-to-cell interactions in a 3D environment.