Cellulose hydrogel film for spheroid formation of human adipose-derived stemcells

Herein, we present a new process for the formation of cell spheroids in three-dimensional culture systems using cellulose hydrogel film. Transparent cellulose hydrogel film were prepared via dissolution-regeneration with a LiOH/urea aqueous solution and methanol. The cell viability of the cellulose hydrogel film was equivalent to that of cell tissue culture plate, revealing no cytotoxicity. Spheroids of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) were successfully formed on cellulose hydrogel film. Spheroid size strongly depended on the cell seeding density and culture time, becoming larger with increases in both factors. Cell differentiation simultaneously progressed favorably with the spheroid formation of hASCs. These results suggested that cellulose hydrogel film could provide a new option with regard to tissue engineering applications.