Investigation of the Effects of Calcium Chloride and Hyaluronic Acid Concentrations on Fibrin Gel Formation for Cell Culture
摘要
Objective: Fibrin gel has been demonstrated as an effective model for primary hepatic stellate cell (HSC) culture. However, fibrin gel exhibits some limitations, such as low transparency and poor stability. In this study, we aimed to address these drawbacks by investigating the influence of CaCl2 and hyaluronic acid (HA) concentrations on fibrin gel transparency, stability, and suitability for HSC culturing. Methods: Different concentrations of CaCl2 (0.01, 0.025, 0.05, and 0.075 mM) and HA (0, 0.5, and 1 mg/mL) were employed to compare the properties of formed fibrin gels, including transparency, gel formation capability, stability, and stiffness. Additionally, HSC culturing experiments were performed on the formed gels. Results: Fibrin gel supplemented with 0.025 mM CaCl2 and 0.5 mg/mL HA exhibited the best transparency and stability after 7 days compared to other concentrations. Upon retrieval from fibrin gel, 3T3 cells display division rates comparable to those cultured on a plastic surface, accompanied by a high viability percentage, as evaluated through trypan blue staining. Moreover, HSC culturing on the formed gel revealed that HA promoted HSC activation by reducing lipid droplets and enhancing the expression of collagen markers. Conclusion: The combination of 0.025 mM CaCl2 and 0.5 mg/mL HA is suitable for generating fibrin gel for cell culturing purposes.