Analysis of hematopoietic microenvironment containing spatial development of stromal cells in nonwoven fabrics.

We previously reported that a 3D coculture system for hematopoietic cells with spatial development of stromal cells in nonwoven fabrics was superior to a conventional 2D coculture system with respect to progenitor expansion and stem cell maintenance. The hematopoietic environments in 2D and 3D coculture systems were compared and it was found there were no differences in the amounts of soluble factors, e.g., mRNA levels of stem cell factor (SCF) and thrombopoietin (TPO), the secretion of SCF, and hematopoietic stimulating activity of culture supernatant. On the other hand, the total amount of insoluble factors such as extracellular proteins around the stromal cells and the mRNA level of laminin alpha5 were apparently higher in the 3D culture.