Article for culturing differentiated cells

Abstract

A method, solid-state culture support and culture solution are disclosed which enables successful in vitro culturing of differentiated cells, with significant retention of their differentiated character. Through the use of extracellular matrix fibers, specifically derived from connective tissue, as culture substrates, the method also discloses the isolation of the connective tissue fibers and their preparation as a culture substrate. This method provides significantly higher survival and attachment rates, and often significantly improved growth properties for in vitro cultures of differentiated cells, especially epithelial, over the current methods for culturing these cells. This method also significantly enables certain differentiated cells to retain much of their normal enzymatic activities. Furthermore, this method enables certain differentiated cells to retain to a high degree, their ability to secrete substances, such as hormones.

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