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Three-Dimensional Culture of Thymic Epithelial Cells on Decellularized Porcine Liver Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel Scaffolds

  • Anatomy & Biological Anthropology
  • Abbr : Anat Biol Anthropol
  • 2024, 37(4), pp.287~302
  • DOI : 10.11637/aba.2024.37.4.287
  • Publisher : 대한체질인류학회
  • Research Area : Medicine and Pharmacy > Anatomy
  • Received : December 1, 2024
  • Accepted : December 19, 2024
  • Published : December 31, 2024

Hwi-Gon Kim 1 Seon Yeong Hwang 2 Ri-Ra Lee 2 Yoon, Sik 2

1부산대학교 의과대학 산부인과학교실
2부산대학교 의과대학 해부학교실

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The thymus is essential for adaptive immunity, mediating the selection and maturation of T cells. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs), as key stromal components, form a three-dimensional sponge-like network that creates the microenvironment critical for T cell development. Physical and biochemical interactions between TECs and developing thymocytes occur within this network and are indispensable for proper T cell maturation. Conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems, however, fail to replicate the thymic microenvironment, leading to reduced TEC functionality and impaired T cell development. Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture offers a more physiologically relevant model by enabling cells to grow within structured scaffolds that facilitate interactions with neighboring cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM), thereby mimicking the in vivo environment. Scaffolds that replicate the structural and biochemical properties of the ECM are essential for implementing 3D culture. Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) scaffolds meet these requirements by preserving ECM's native structure and bioactivity after removing cellular components. dECM-based scaffolds support diverse cellular activities-such as proliferation, migration, and differentiation-without the need for additional biological factors, making them ideal for tissue engineering applications. This study developed a bioactive hydrogel derived from porcine liver dECM to support the 3D culture of TECs. The hydrogel enhanced TEC proliferation, survival, spheroid formation, and activity, closely replicating the native thymic microenvironment. These findings advance our understanding of TEC behavior in 3D culture and highlight the potential of porcine liver dECM hydrogels for applications in T cell development, thymic organoid bioprinting, and thymus regeneration.

Citation status

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