Cell electrospinning highly concentrated cellular suspensions containing primary living organisms into cell-bearing threads and scaffolds.

AIMS We recently pioneered the cell electrospinning of living cells as viable biological threads and scaffolds. In that study, we demonstrated the process with an immortalized human brain astrocytoma (1321N1, European Collection of Cell Cultures) cell line at a cell concentration of 10(6) cells/ml. The next stage was to demonstrate the ability to cell electrospin primary living cells at cell concentrations of 10(7) cells/ml (the highest-ever cell concentration threaded by any threading methodology). Furthermore, the post-threaded cells needed their viability assessed over a long period of time by way of flow cytometry, which accurately assesses the viable cell populations. MATERIALS & METHODS In this work, we employ primary porcine vascular and rabbit aorta smooth-muscle cells prepared as cellular suspensions at cell concentrations of 10(7) cells/ml. The cell electrospinning device employs a coaxial needle arrangement that enables the flow of either highly concentrated cellular suspension in the inner needle while the outer needle accommodates the flow of a viscoelasticity medical-grade polydimethylsiloxane medium. Cell viability was assessed over a long timeframe by way of flow cytometry in comparison with controls. RESULTS & DISCUSSION The work reported here demonstrates the ability to cell electrospin primary living organisms as highly concentrated cellular suspensions. The viable population of cells post-cell electrospinning are significant and remain viable over both the short and long term, as assessed by flow cytometry. CONCLUSION Our work elucidates the ability to cell electrospin primary cells as highly concentrated cellular suspensions. The post-cell electrospun organisms are viable over long periods of time, demonstrating a significant active cell population when compared with controls.