Matrigel® enhances 3T3-L1 cell differentiation

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Culturing cells on bio-gels are believed to provide a more in vivo -like extracellular matrix. 3T3-L1 cells cultured on Matrigel® significantly alteregd their proliferation and differentiation as compared to growth on tissue culture-coated polystyrene surfaces. Growth on a 250-μm thick layer of Matrigel® facilitated the formation of cellular aggregates of 3T3-L1 cells. Differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells cultured on Matrigel® demonstrated increased levels of mRNA levels for key adipogenic transcription factors ( PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP1) , lipogenic markers ( FAS, FABP4, LPL, PLIN1 ) and markers of adipocyte maturity ( LEP ), compared to cells cultured directly on a polystyrene tissue culture surface. The gene expression of extracellular matrix proteins ( FN1, COL1A1, COL4A1, COL6, LAM ) was decreased in 3T3-L1 cells cultured on Matrigel®. Furthermore, growth on Matrigel® increased lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells in the presence and absence of rosiglitazone, a thiazolidinedione routinely used to optimize differentiation in these cells. These changes in adipocyte gene expression and lipid accumulation patterns may be a result of the increased cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions occurring on the Matrigel®, a scenario that is more reflective of an in vivo model. Taken together, our data advance the understanding of the value of culturing 3T3-L1 cells on Matrigel®.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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