Efficient formation of cell spheroids using polymer nanofibers.

Spheroid culture has been used for suspension cultures of anchorage-dependent cells. In this study, we developed a new method for the suspension cultures of anchorage-dependent animal cells using polymer nanofibers. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanofibers (785 nm in average fiber-diameter, 88 μm in average fiber-length) fabricated by the electrospinning method were added to each suspension culture of human embryonic kidney 293 cells and human dermal fibroblasts. As compared to no addition of nanofibers to the suspension cultures, nanofibers enhanced cell spheroid formation, thereby reducing cell death resulting from a lack of cell adhesion. Efficient formation of spheroids in the presence of polymer nanofibers may be useful for the suspension cultures of anchorage-dependent cells.