Biosilk 521
Biosilk 521
Biosilk 521 is a 3D culture matrix for the expansion and long-term differentiation of human primary cells and a scaffold for organoid formation – Biosilk biofunctionalized with Biolaminin 521.
Benefits of Biosilk for the 3D culture of stem cells and organoids
In the Biosilk fibrillar network, oxygen, nutrients, and patterning factors can flow into the inner part of the organoid. Cells are not encapsulated. This enables long-term differentiation protocols and makes it possible to generate larger organoids with uniform cellular specialization and organization, without an increased risk of getting necrotic centers.
Biosilk is a completely defined recombinant spider silk protein matrix that is non-immunogenic and biodegradable, further facilitating its use in clinical applications.
All our matrices are chemically defined and animal origin-free, which makes them ideal substrates for each level of the scientific process – from basic research to clinical applications.
Biosilk can self-assemble into a microfibrous network, such as foams. Due to its favorable functional and mechanical properties, Biosilk can support extensive cellular remodeling, self-organization, and morphogenesis.
3D models are pursued to reproduce the way cells grow and interact with each other and the microenvironment in native tissues. To provide proper microenvironmental contacts and support correct cell phenotype, Biolaminin isoforms can be added into different organoid culture systems. Especially, the Biosilk 3D network can be easily biofunctionalized with Biolaminin isoforms and other extracellular matrix proteins. This results in a more tissue-like microenvironment in which the integrin-involved attachment to the Biosilk fibers gives the cells an elongated shape, with organized cytoskeletons and the formation of defined focal adhesion points. Increased biological relevance increases the chances of capturing robust and applicable experimental and pre-clinical results.
Simple to use – no special equipment needed
Biosilk is made of recombinant silk protein
Biosilk fibers consist of shorter versions of spider silk protein, spidroins, which are biofunctionalized with an RGD-containing motif sequence. Biosilk 521 is Biosilk supplemented with Biolaminin 521 – the full-length recombinant laminin-521 substrate. Biolaminin tunes the silk fibers into a biorelevant scaffold, enabling the effective culture of several types of cells and organoids.
Recommended applications
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3D culture
Biosilk and Biolaminin key advantages 3D cell culture and organoid formation 3D culture systems for disease modeling, drug screening, and […]View application -
Pluripotent stem cells
Biorelevant culture of human ES and iPS cells on Biolaminin substrates Biolaminin 521 successfully replicates the genuine human stem cell niche […]View application -
Neural cells
Biorelevant culture of neural cells on Biolaminin substrates Laminins are widely expressed in the nervous system and are essential for […]View application -
Skin cells
Biorelevant culture of keratinocytes on Biolaminin substrates The basement membrane composition in the epidermis Human epidermal keratinocyte (HEK) cells are […]View application -
Pancreatic cells
Biorelevant culture of pancreatic cells on Biolaminin substrates The basement membrane formed next to the beta-cells contains alpha-4 and alpha-5 laminin […]View application -
Intestinal cells
Biorelevant culture of intestinal cells on Biolaminin substrates Laminin expression in the intestine The small intestine contains mucosal epithelial invaginations called […]View application -
Hepatocytes and hepatoblasts
Biorelevant culture of liver cells on Biolaminin substrates Several laminins play a vital role in liver progenitor cell-mediated regeneration The […]View application -
Eye cells
Biorelevant culture of eye cells Laminin proteins are important components in the eye microenvironment Biolaminin products have been succesfully used […]View application
Key features
Efficient diffusion of oxygen, nutrients, and patterning factors make it possible to generate larger organoids with more effective and uniform cellular specialization and organization without increased risk of necrotic centers.
Contrary to cells encapsulated in a hydrogel, the cells seeded in Biosilk 521 survive, are highly proliferative, and migrate to initiate cell-cell contacts. The attached cells become more elongated and develop defined focal adhesion points. The mild assembly process, where the cells are included already during the assembly of the 3D construct, enables an instant and even cell integration and attachment between the Biosilk microfibers.
Biosilk 521 is a natural biomaterial made of recombinant silk and laminin-521 to better mimic the natural, cell-specific environment. The recombinant Biosilk fibers have been implanted subcutaneously in rats without any negative systemic or local reactions. After implantation, newly formed capillaries and fibroblast-like cells have been identified which indicate the formation of vascularized tissue. Biosilk is biodegradable, likely through endocytosis by macrophages and subsequent intracellular proteolysis. This facilitates its use in clinical applications.
The functional and mechanical properties of Biosilk enable cellular remodeling, self-organization, and morphogenesis. Biosilk 521 has been successfully used for hPSC integration, expansion, and efficient long-term in situ 3D differentiation into neural (forebrain, midbrain, cerebral and glial organoids), pancreas, and skin applications.
Biosilk foam morphology
Cells attached to Biosilk mixed with laminin 521
The mild assembly process enables an instant and even cell integration and attachment between the Biosilk microfibers (nuclei staining; DAPI).
Self-organized neural tube-like structures and neural functionality in floating Biosilk 521 constructs
Immunostaining images. The apical surface of radially arranged cells stains for N-cad (green), the presence of neural progenitor zones visualized with NESTIN (green) and SOX2 (red), and PAX6+ cells (green) surrounded by layers of DCX+ cells (red).
Section of a floating cell construct (height approx.1.5mm) stained for SOX2 (red) and DAPI (blue) revealed proliferative zones developing around multiple ventricular-like regions, surrounded by BIII-TUBULIN (green) at the basal surface.
Pluripotent cells survive, proliferate and can be efficiently differentiated in situ in Biosilk 521
Human ES cells cultured in Biosilk 521 in hPSC culture media form colonies and proliferate along the microfibres (LAMININ, green) with the maintained expression of stemness marker (NANOG; red). DAPI was used as the nuclear counterstain. Typical morphology of an hPSC colony 48 h after integration into Biosilk 521.
Human ES cells (HS980) and iPS cells (iPSC3) seeded at 50 000 cells/foam were cultured for 4 days in three different pluripotent cell culture media. The cells were detached with TrypLE solution and the cell amount and viability were measured.
Relative gene expression of POU5F1 and NANOG for HS980 and C5 were measured 72 h after Biosilk 521 integration as compared to culture on Biolaminin 521 coated plates.
Lineage-specific differentiation to ectoderm (7 days, NESTIN and PAX6), endoderm (3 days, FOXA2), and mesoderm (12 days, NKX2.5) were initiated after 2-3 days of culture in the Biosilk 521 scaffold. DAPI was used as the nuclear counterstain.
Differentiation of multipotent adult stem cells in Biosilk
Instructions of use
Generation of Biosilk 3D network with evenly integrated cells
A 3D foam structure can be generated by a gentle introduction of air bubbles into the Biosilk solution. The cell suspension is mixed into the foam, and the silk with cells assembles into a thin film around each bubble. The bubbles disperse and the foam transforms into a stabilized 3D network with uniformly integrated cells between the microfibers.
Important notes
- All steps must be carried out under aseptic conditions
- Biosilk 521 should be stored at -80°C
- Gently thaw the Biosilk 521 solution at RT without moving the vial
- Do not vortex or shake the vial and be careful when mixing to avoid the introduction of air bubbles
- The Biosilk products have to be used within 45-50 min after thawing
- Re-freezing or long-term storage of thawed Biosilk solution in the fridge is not possible as this will affect product stability and functionality
- 1 vial of BioSilk or Biosilk 521 is enough material to generate 12-13 foams (24 well format)
- Hydrophobic surface culture plates should be used.
- The cell suspension should be prepared fresh before mixing into the Biosilk to ensure high cell quality
- For research use only
Protocol
Preparation
- Thaw the Biosilk solution at RT without moving the vial
- Add Rock inhibitor to the thawed solution to a final concentration of 10 µM. Gently pipette 3 times.
Note:
! Do not vortex or shake the vial and avoid the introduction of air bubbles.
! It will take around 12 min for the frozen Biosilk solution to thaw at ambient temperature. For the best result, the thawed solution should be used as soon as possible, the latest within 1 hour from removal from -80 °C. The thawed Biosilk solution will gradually turn milky in ambient RT.
- Prepare a concentrated single-cell suspension (see general instructions for preparation here). For a vial of Biosilk or Biosilk 521, prepare a concentrated cell suspension of a total of 7-14 x105 cells in 25 μL of medium (roughly 20 000 – 60 000 cells/μL) supplemented with 10 μM ROCK inhibitor.
Note:
! The cell suspension should be prepared freshly before mixing into the Biosilk solution to ensure the best cell viability. For best foam stability, prepare the cell suspension for the foam incorporation beforehand or during the Biosilk thawing time.
! Optimize the cell incorporating density for best amplification in the 3D scaffold, as this is cell type-dependent and needs to be adjusted accordingly.
- Prepare a Biosilk-Biolaminin-Cell suspension mixture by adding a Biolaminin isoform of choice (25 μL), cell suspension (25 μL), and 10mM ROCK inhibitor (0.27 μL) to the thawed Biosilk solution (250 μL). The final mixture will have a concentration of 10 μg/mL Biolaminin and 10 μM ROCK inhibitor. Mix by gently pipetting 3 times without introducing air bubbles. The Biosilk-Biolaminin-cell suspension mixture should be used within 10 min to ensure high cell viability
Note:
! If the Biosilk 521 (BS521-0101) pre-mixed product is used, the manual addition of Biolaminin can be omitted unless a mix with an additional Biolaminin isoform is desired.
! Be careful when mixing to avoid the introduction of air bubbles as this will cause premature fiber formation.
3D scaffold formation and maintenance
- Transfer 22 μL of the prepared Biosilk-Biolaminin-cell suspension solution to the center of a well.
- Use a pipette set at 44 μL, to push air bubbles into the droplet by quick pipetting up and down 22 times, thereby creating a dense foam. Spread out the foam in circular motions with the pipette tip during pipetting to an area covering 0.7-1 cm in diameter. See the protocol described in Fig. 1.
Note:
! Insufficient (<22) or excessive (> 25) pipetting for the foam formation will result in an unstable scaffold or low cell viability, respectively.
! If the cells are sensitive to pipetting, an increased cell seeding density could help to increase cell viability. Alternatively, the cells could be mixed in after the foam has been generated. In this case, add 20 uL Biosilk solution to the well and use a pipette, set at 40 uL, to push air bubbles by quickly pipetting up and down 20 times. Add 1-4 μL dense cell suspension (roughly 20 000 – 60 000 cells/μL) for each foam and mix by pipetting an additional 5 times. See the protocol described in Fig.2.
! It takes approximately half to one minute to generate each foam. We recommend thoroughly planning the procedure for the best cell- and foam quality.
- Repeat step 4.1 to 4.2 to create the desired number of foams. The solution is sufficient for creating 12 – 13 foams.
- Place the lidded plate with the cell-containing foams in an incubator at 37°C for 20 min. During this time, the Biosilk product polymerizes and the 3D structure is stabilized.
- Remove the plate from the cell incubator. Gently add 0.7-1 mL per well of the pre-warmed medium containing 10 μM ROCK inhibitor, starting dropwise around the foam before slowly filling up to cover the foam.
- Place the plate back into the incubator.
- Feed the cells daily or at an appropriate frequency with fresh culture media without ROCK inhibitor.
Biosilk 521 organoid differentiation
- Pluripotent stem cells seeded in Biosilk foam generally need to be cultured in medium supporting pluripotency for 4-5 days with daily feeding to reach the desired confluence before switching to differentiation medium. Depending on lineage differentiation and protocol used, culture for 1 to 2 weeks in a suitable medium with appropriate feeding frequency is needed.
- When cells have reached the desired confluency within the microfibrillar network, manually detach the foam from the bottom of the well using a cell scraper or a pipette tip. Cut the foam structure into 2 -4 pieces (approx. 2 mm thick) using a blade or a pair of small scissors and transfer to new low-attachment culture plates for culture as free-floating entities.
Note:
! Before the foam can be detached from the culture surface for free-floating organoid culture, the cells first have to be amplified in the attached foam. It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks to generate the desired confluency.
! Embedding the organoid in Matrigel is not needed to maintain the organoid shape and cell phenotype. If embedding is preferred, a xenofree and defined material is recommended (e.g. HyStem™ available from Merck).
! If using a cell type other than hPSCs, culture with appropriate culture medium and feeding frequency before detaching the foam for free-floating organoid culture.
- Feed the free-floating organoid cultures at an appropriate frequency until further analysis or desired applications.
Product name
Biosilk 521
Product code
BS521-0101
Declaration
For research use or non-commercial manufacturing of cell, gene, or tissue-based products
Storage
-80°C
Stock concentration
3 mg/ml total
9 µg/ml Biolaminin 521
Appearance
Clear, colorless
Shipping condition
Dry Ice
Stability
24 months
Product description
Recombinant spider silk protein, functionalized with human recombinant laminin 521 protein (Biolaminin 521) for 3D culture applications
Classification
Defined and animal origin-free, human recombinant protein
Product application
Human PSC and progenitor cell expansion and differentiation
Assembly of FN-silk with laminin-521 to integrate hPSCs into a three-dimensional culture for neural differentiation
Åstrand C , Chotteau V , Falk A , Hedhammar M
Biomaterials science, 2020
Assembly of functionalized silk together with cells to obtain proliferative 3D cultures integrated in a network of ECM-like microfibers
Johansson U, Widhe M, Shalaly ND, Arregui IL, Nilebäck L, Tasiopoulos CP, Åstrand C, Berggren PO, Gasser C, Hedhammar M.
Scientific reports, 2019
Biological responses to spider silk-antibiotic fusion protein
Gomes S, Gallego-Llamas J, Leonor IB, Mano JF, Reis RL, Kaplan DL.
J Tissue Eng Regen Med, 2017