The 'Honeycomb' collagen sponge has a structure in which uniform pores (250-400 um) are arranged densely in one direction, into which cells can penetrate and proliferate. This structure facilitates the ready supply of nutrients to the cells inside the sponge, and releases metabolic wastes and biochemical products. Cells can proliferate and fill the lumen to form a uniform cell mass. The 'Honeycomb' collagen sponge is prepared from highly purified bovine dermal type I Atelocollagen and can be degraded by collagenase.
Suppression of tumorigenesis from transplanted mouse ES cells by cultivation with Atelocollagen Honeycomb Sponge
(M. Yamaki, Matsumoto Dental University, Japan)
Mouse ES cells cultured on honeycomb sponge were transplanted by subcutaneous injection into 6-week-old mice. Although all embryoid bodies without the honeycomb sponge formed tumor without exception, none of the embryoid bodies transplanted with the honeycomb sponge formed tumors (Fig.1).
Histological analysis of transplanted (mouse ES/+CSH) and normal kidney showed no differences between the two tissues. The results indicates normal spontaneous differentiation of the mouse ES cells in the presence of the honeycomb sponge when transplantedin vivo(Fig.2).
