In vitro culture and harvest of BMMSCs on the surface of a novel thermosensitive glass microcarrier

Traditional two-dimensional (2D) static culture environment for stem cells followed by enzymatic cell detachment or mechanical treatment is routinely used in research laboratories. However, this method is not ideal as stem cells expand slowly, with cell damage and partial loss of specific stemness. For this reason, a better culture condition is urgently needed to improve stem cell recovery. A novel thermosensitive P(NIPAAm-co-HPM)-g-TMSPM-g-microcarrier was prepared here as a three-dimensional (3D) culture substitute. This novel microcarrier was prepared by grafting NIPAAm and HPM to the surface of glass microcarrier using TMSPM through surface free radical copolymerization. The prepared material was tested in cell culture and via cooling harvest method. We found that NIPAAm was successfully grafted on to the surface of the microcarriers, providing an excellent biocompatible environment for BMMSC adhesion and growth. More importantly, BMMSCs could be fully removed from the thermosensitive glass microcarriers with remained cell viability.