The multicompartment SlideReactor – a novel concept for continuous monitoring of co-cultured cells

Aim: The SlideReactor is a simple hollow fibre based bioreactor suit-able for light microscopic observation. It is designed for long-term cultivation and continuous monitoring of cells under controlled conditions in the SlideObserver unit. Parallel cultivation of different cell types in discrete compartments connected by hollow fibres allows simultaneous observation of target- and feeder cells under variable culture conditions. Aim was to establish a new bioreactor design meeting this requirement: the multicompartment SlideReactor. Methods: The SlideObserver consists of four main components: a microscope equipped with a custom made motorised stage, a digital camera, a control-unit and the multicompartment SlideReactor. Cell compartments are continuously perfused with culture medium by a multi-channel pump. Transport of secreted soluble factors is realized through the hollow fibres connecting the discrete cell compartments. Process parameters are assessed utilising probes inserted directly into the medium reservoirs. The entire perfusion circuit is placed in a temperature controlled unit. For proof of concept the multicompartment SlideReactors were charged with the human hepatoma cell line HuH7 and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Furthermore, transport of soluble factors was mimicked using trypan blue dye. Results: Conducted experiments show the feasibility of this concept: the multicompartment SlideReactor allows culturing of different cell types connected through hollow fibres. At the same time, acquisition of time-lapse micrograph videos of various points of interest in either compartment is possible. Perfusion with soluble dye showed an even distribution throughout the process fluid within three hours. Conclusion: The operational concept presented here permits co-cultivation of distinct cell types in the multicompartment bioreactors. The system may be used for to examine the influence of various feeder cells on primary hepatocytes.

Literatur: 1. Schwartlander R, Schmid J, Brandenburg B, Katenz E, Vondran FW, Pless G, Cheng X, et al. Continuously microscopically observed and process-controlled cell culture within the SlideReactor: proof of a new concept for cell characterization. Tissue Eng 2007;13:187-196. 2. Sauer IM, Schwartlander R, Schmid J, Efimova E, Vondran FW, Kehr D, Pless G, et al. The SlideReactor--a simple hollow fiber based bioreactor suitable for light microscopy. Artif Organs 2005;29:264-267.

bioreactor - co-culture - time-lapse microscopy