Three-dimensional modeling of T-24 human bladder carcinoma cell line: A new simulated microgravity culture vessel

Abstract

We present a new device and method for culture of cell lines and primary tissues requiring high oxygen tensions. The High Aspect Rotating-Wall Vessel (HARV) described successfully propagated T-24, a human bladder transitional epithelial cell line, on Cytodex-3 microcarriers in three-dimensional cellular aggregates up to 0.5 cm in diameter. The HARV is a horizontally rotated tissue culture vessel with a large surface-area-to-volume ratio silicone membrane oxygenator. This design augments the principle of the rotating-wall vessel termed the Slow-Turning Lateral Vessel (STLV) by providing a low turbulence, low shear, cell growing environment with increased oxygen delivery capability. Comparisons of glucose metabolism, oxygen consumption, and morphology as a function of cell growth for a T-24 bladder carcinoma were performed in the HARV vs. the STLV. The HARV was superior in the culture of a variety of cell types including normal and neoplastic, anchorage-dependent and suspension cells.