Three-dimensional cell and tissue culture system

A method for culturing a genetically engineered dermis comprising culturing in vitro stromal cells transfected with an exogenous gene under the control of an expression element comprising culturing the transfected stromal cells inoculated on a three-dimensional framework so that the transfected stromal cells and connective tissue proteins naturally secreted by the stromal cells attach to and substantially envelope the framework composed of a biocompatible, non-living material formed into a three-dimensional structure having interstitial spaces bridged by the stromal cells.

A method for culturing a three-dimensional cell culture comprising culturing in vitro parenchymal cells inoculated onto the transfected living stromal tissue comprising stromal cells transfected with an exogenous gene under the control of an expression element, so that the transfected stromal cells and connective tissue proteins naturally secreted by the stromal cells are attached to and substantially envelope a framework composed of a biocompatible, non-living material formed into a three-dimensional structure having interstitial spaces bridged by the stromal cells.

A method for culturing transfected parenchymal cells which contain an exogenous gene under the control of an expression element, comprising culturing the transfected parenchymal cells inoculated onto a living stromal tissue prepared in vitro, in which stromal cells and connective tissue proteins naturally secreted by the stromal cells are attached to and substantially envelope a framework composed of a biocompatible, non-living material formed into a three-dimensional structure having interstitial spaces bridged by the stromal cells.

A method for culturing transfected astrocytes containing an exogenous gene under the control of an expression element, comprising culturing transfected astrocytes inoculated into a living stromal tissue prepared in vitro, comprising confluent small blood vessel endothelial cells attached to and substantially enveloping a framework composed of a biocompatible, non-living material formed into a three-dimensional structure having interstitial spaces bridged by the stromal cells.

A method for culturing transfected neuron cells containing an exogenous gene under the control of an expression element, comprising culturing the transfected neuron cells inoculated onto a living stromal tissue prepared in vitro, and comprising confluent small blood vessel endothelial cells attached to and substantially enveloping a framework composed of a biocompatible, non-living material formed into a three-dimensional structure having interstitial spaces bridged by the stromal cells.

A method for producing a biological product in a genetically engineered living stromal tissue comprising:

• (a) culturing stromal cells transfected with an exogenous gene under the control of an expression element so that the exogenous gene product is expressed in culture, and in which the transfected stromal cells and connective tissue proteins naturally secreted by the transfected stromal cells are attached to and substantially envelope a framework composed of a biocompatible, non-living material formed into a three-dimensional structure having interstitial spaces bridged by the stromal cells;
• and
• (b) isolating the exogenous gene product from the culture.

A method for producing a biological product in a three-dimensional cell culture comprising:

• (a) culturing parenchymal cells inoculated onto a genetically engineered living stromal tissue, comprising stromal cells transfected with an exogenous gene under the control of an expression element, so that the exogenous gene product is expressed in culture, and in which the transfected stromal cells and connective tissue proteins naturally secreted by the transfected stromal cells attached to and substantially enveloping a framework composed of a biocompatible, non-living material formed into a three-dimensional structure having interstitial spaces bridged by the transfected stromal cells;
• and
• (b) isolating the exogenous gene product from the culture.

A method for producing a biological product in a genetically engineered dermis comprising:

• (a) culturing stromal cells transfected with an exogenous gene under the control of an expression element so that the exogenous gene product is expressed in culture, and in which the transfected stromal cells and connective tissue proteins naturally secreted by the transfected stromal cells are attached to and substantially envelope a framework composed of a biocompatible, non-living material formed into a three-dimensional structure having interstitial spaces bridged by the stromal cells;
• and
• (b) isolating the exogenous gene product from the culture.

A method for producing a biological product in a genetically engineered three-dimensional cell culture, comprising:

• (a) culturing transfected parenchymal cells inoculated onto a living stromal tissue prepared in vitro comprising stromal cells and connective tissue proteins naturally secreted by the stromal cells attached to and substantially enveloping a framework composed of a biocompatible, non-living material formed into a three-dimensional structure having interstitial spaces bridged by the stromal cells, so that the inoculated cells proliferate, in which the transfected parenchymal cells contain an exogenous gene under the control of an expression element so that the exogenous gene product is expressed in the culture;
• and
• (b) isolating the exogenous gene product from the culture.