JP2006115723A - Microchamber for cell culture and method for constructing cellular structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new microchamber enabling its structure to be altered during cell culture while microscopically observing cell condition and also enabling a culture solution to be freely exchanged during cell culture. <P>SOLUTION: The new microchamber for cell culture comprises a semipermeable membrane, a gel film of agarose or its derivative formed on the semipermeable membrane, and a plurality of compartments formed in the gel film and intended for enclosing cells in a specific spacial layout. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a new cell culture microchamber that can change the structure of a microchamber during cell culture while observing the state of cells under a microscope, and can freely change the culture medium during cell culture.

  Cell culture is the most basic technique for handling cells. In addition to simply increasing the number of cells, the cell culture is used as a bioassay to observe, for example, changes in the state of cells and the response of cells to drugs and the like. In a conventional bioassay, a measurement object is generally added during cell culture to observe cell growth and ion pump fluctuations.

  Alternatively, in recent regenerative medicine, attempts have been made to cultivate cells and construct the cells in a structured structure. Techniques for culturing epithelial cells and making them into sheets have already been established. However, in many cases, the cells used in cell culture are homogeneous clones, and there is not much knowledge accumulated about higher order cell construction by interaction between cells or cell contact. For this reason, it can be said that an attempt to reconstruct a cell to obtain a functional structure opens up new biology and is an important issue in the field of regenerative medicine.

  With regard to cell restructuring, for example, in a neuron, an attempt was made to construct a relatively simple neural network consisting of a small number of neurons artificially and clarify the information processing function of the cell network in a controlled environment. Research to do is also actively conducted (Non-Patent Documents 1-3).

  What is important for the measurement of an information processing model in which each cell of a cell group is the smallest structural unit is a multipoint simultaneous measurement technique and a cell network pattern control technique. A method for culturing and measuring nerve cells has been developed.

  In addition, many researches have been made on technologies for controlling cell network patterns using chemical or physical techniques. For example, in chemical methods, Letourneau et al. Have succeeded in drawing a pattern with a cell-adhesive substrate such as laminin on the surface of a substrate on which neurons are cultured, and extending neurites along the pattern (for example, Non-patent document 4).

  In the physical method, the growth and movement of nerve cells are restricted if the height of the barrier is about 10 μm or more by culturing on a substrate on which a step that becomes a barrier for the extension of nerve cells is constructed on the substrate surface. There is a report that this is possible (for example, Non-Patent Documents 5-6).

  The inventors' group selects only one specific cell, cultures that single cell as a cell line, and controls the cell's solution environmental conditions when observing the cell. Has been developed to control the cell concentration of the cells to be constant or to observe the culture while identifying the interacting cells (Patent Document 1). Furthermore, a cell culture microchamber has been developed that can freely change the shape of a cell culture container in a region heated by irradiation with focused light while performing cell culture (Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-81086 A JP 2004-81085 A Dichter, M.A.Brain Res., 149, 279-293 (1978) and Mains R.E., Patterson P. H. J. Cell. Biol., 59, 329-345 (1973) Potter S.M., DeMarse T.B., J. Neurosci.Methods, 110, 17-24 (2001) Jimbo Y., Tateno T., Robinson H.P.C., Biophys. J. 76, 670-678 (1999) Letourneau P.C .: Dev. Biol., 66, 183-196 (1975) Stopak D. et al .: Dev. Biol., 90, 383-398 (1982) Hirono T., Torimitsu K., Kawana A., Fukuda J., Brain Res., 446, 189-194 (1988)

  For example, in a conventional bioassay, a cell is either treated as a tissue fragment or treated as a single cell like a cultured cell. When cells are used one by one, cells that originally function as cells of a multicellular tissue are used as separated and independent cells, so that the influence of interaction between cells does not appear. It is virtually impossible to obtain a specimen with the same conditions at all times with tissue fragments. This presents a problem in obtaining accurate drug response, ie bioassay data. Therefore, the only way to solve the above problem is to develop a device or system capable of performing a bioassay in which the same cell group, or if necessary, a heterogeneous cell group is constitutively arranged.

  Also, in the field of regenerative medicine, it is important to develop a method that can freely make a cell circuit that combines functions as needed.

  The present invention solves the problems of the prior art as described above, reveals the function of cells, forms a structure using a cell response test (bioassay) for drugs, etc., and arbitrary cells. It aims to develop culture technology. That is, it is an object to provide a new technical means capable of constructing a cell network while controlling a small number of heterogeneous cell networks.

To solve the above problem,
1) a cell culture chamber capable of arranging the same or different types of cells in an arbitrary position and in an arbitrary order;
2) Incorporating a mechanism to add any substance during cell culture as a structure that can freely administer drugs and induce physiological activity of each cell, or replace the culture solution with a fresh one at all times Culture microchamber,
3) A culture microchamber that incorporates a mechanism that facilitates drug administration and culture environment control,
4) After constructing the cell network, the culture chamber used for cell culture is removed, and a cell culture microchamber incorporating a recovery mechanism capable of recovering the formed cell network;
And a cell structure construction method using such a microchamber.

  In the present invention, a support having a structure in which an agarose gel film is formed on a cellulose film is used as a material for a cell culture chamber. Agarose gel can be melted by heating, and this property is used to form a space for cell culture. For example, when an agarose gel film is placed in a sufficient amount of an aqueous solution and irradiated with laser focused light having a wavelength that is absorbed by water, for example, 1480 nm focused laser light, the focused laser light is absorbed by the agarose gel. The agarose gel can be melted by heat generation. Since the melted agarose diffuses into the solution and falls below the limit concentration necessary for gelation, the once melted agarose gel portion does not gel again.

  By using this technique, a cell holding well having a resolution of about 1 nm and a connection channel between the wells can be formed. What is important in this technology is that when a predetermined number of predetermined cells are cultured in each well, and a part of the cell membrane extends to form a junction with an adjacent cell, a cell extension direction and a junction are formed. The cell order can be controlled. That is, it is important that the shape of the microchamber for cell culture can be arbitrarily changed during the culture. If this can be done, for example, when three cells A, B, and C are cultured for four cells per cell in independent wells, first, four cell types A and four cell types B are obtained. After each is joined independently, one of the four groups of cell type A and one of the four groups of cell type B are combined. Next, one of the four groups of the remaining cell types A and one of the four groups of the cell types C can be arbitrarily joined. Thus, the problem 1) is solved.

  Processing of agarose gel film by focused light heating is easily performed when the agarose gel film formed on the cellulose film exists in the solution or when it is placed on a transparent substrate like glass. can do. Another inventive technique is used when installed on an opaque structure. The opaque structure is, for example, a structure made of a material that absorbs or scatters a focused light laser having a wavelength irradiated for processing an agarose gel film, as will be described later.

  If there is an opaque structure, contact the tip of the needle that absorbs light with the agarose gel, and move the needle while applying focused light to avoid a opaque structure on a part of the needle. Make a path on the agarose gel. As a result, regardless of the substrate on which the agarose gel is present, specific cell culture wells can be connected in a desired order to form an arbitrary cell circuit. Here, silicon or SU8 is a structure that is not completely transparent, which is disadvantageous for the irradiation of the focused light laser. However, the microfabrication technology for these is used for the addition of reagents and the medium. This is because it is useful for forming a replacement microstructure.

  In order to solve the above problems 2) and 3), in addition to using a cellulose film, it can be easily realized by placing the cellulose film on a microstructure formed of silicon or SU8. In cell culture, a semi-permeable membrane that separates the inside of a well containing cells and a cell solution tank structurally while allowing the cell solution to permeate is required. When the focused light is irradiated to the agarose gel film through this semipermeable membrane, the semipermeable membrane needs to be made of a material that is not easily damaged by the focused light. As this material, for example, a cellulose film is preferably used.

  The microchamber for cell culture in the present invention is formed on a semipermeable membrane, and further, a microchannel using a microfabrication technique is in contact with a portion through the semipermeable membrane, and the semipermeable membrane is interposed through the semipermeable membrane. After adding a culture medium exchange or bioassay additive from the microchannel or adding an additive to the cell surface, the cells release the molecules released in response to the addition of the additive through the channel. To be able to be recovered through. Thus, the above problems 2) and 3) are solved.

  Finally, the cell circuit thus formed is peeled from the substrate. Intercellular adhesion is not so strong that it cannot be mechanically peeled off. It can be considered that the cells have bitten into the cellulose membrane. The agarose gel is used as it is as a support, taking into account that the volume is large and that cells are damaged when heat is applied. It is necessary to remove the cellulose membrane and separate the cells from the substrate together with the agarose gel. For this purpose, cellulase is used to decompose the cellulose itself. Since the cell circuit is held in the agarose gel membrane in this state, it is also possible to form a three-dimensional cell network structure by stacking a plurality of agarose gel membranes thus prepared.

  According to the present invention, an arbitrary cell network can be constructed while culturing cells. Since the cell network is constantly supplied with a medium necessary for activity from the outside, it can survive stably. In addition, the sensitivity to various drugs can be easily evaluated. Furthermore, after constructing an arbitrary cell circuit, the cell adhesion surface can be peeled off without being cut. For this reason, it becomes possible to supply the cell as a functional material used for regenerative medicine, in which it is essential to use the cell while maintaining its shape.

Example 1
FIG. 1A shows a bird's-eye view of the cell culture microchamber of Example 1, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the cell culture microchamber as viewed in the arrow direction at the position AA. The agarose gel film 1 is integrally formed on the cellulose film 2 and installed on the glass substrate 3. A plurality of wells 5 for holding cells are formed on the agarose gel film 1. Such a cell culture microchamber 1 is placed in a container 6. A medium 7 exists in the container, and the microchamber 1 is substantially submerged in the medium. In FIG. 1A, for the sake of clarity, the agarose gel film 1, the cellulose film 2 and the glass substrate 3 are drawn apart from each other, but these are in close contact as shown in FIG. 1B.

  A method of making the agarose gel film 1 will be described. A cellulose film 2 (fractionated molecular weight of 100,000 daltons) swollen in water is placed on a glass substrate 3 of 20 mm × 20 mm × 1.1 mm (t) and placed on a chuck of a spin coater. The cellulose film 2 is larger than the glass substrate 3, and the periphery is cut off after the agarose gels. 0.5 ml of 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer pH 7.4 solution containing 0.15M NaCl in 1.5% agarose (previously heated in a microwave to dissolve agarose and cooled to around 60 ° C.) Apply, for example, rotate at 100 rpm for 10 seconds. Allow the agarose to gel in a wet box at room temperature for 30 minutes. Thereby, an agarose gel film of approximately 100 μm can be formed. Since the film thickness of the gel depends on the forming conditions, it is prepared by changing the rotation speed and the temperature of the gel.

  In this state, the well 5 for storing cells and the groove for connecting the wells 5 are not formed yet. The size of the well 5 is, for example, 30 μm in diameter and has a structure in which the agarose gel is removed only in this portion. The well 5 is formed by irradiating the agarose gel film 1 with laser convergent light in a wavelength range that is absorbed by water, for example, 1480 nm laser convergent light. Is removed by melting. Since a sufficient amount of the medium 7 exists in the container 6, the melted agarose gel diffuses and falls below the gelation concentration limit of the agarose, so that it does not gel again. By this method, an arbitrary number of wells 5 are formed at an arbitrary position.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a cell culture microchamber in which a cell circuit is formed. Reference numeral 10 denotes a cell culture microchamber in which a cell circuit is formed. Cells are inserted into well 5 using a micropipette (not shown). For example, one neuron is inserted into each of eight wells of an 8 × 2 well (well spacing: 100 μm). In the remaining 8 wells, one heartbeat cell is placed. The group of wells 5 containing nerve cells is 12 and the group of wells 5 containing myocardial pulsation cells is 13. When the culture is continued for a predetermined time, neurons and myocardial pulsatile cells protrude. The protrusions start to extend in random directions, but at this point, the agarose gel film 1 is obstructed and a junction between cells cannot be generated.

  First, as in the case of creating a well in the agarose gel film 1 part between each well 5 of the group of 8 wells 12 containing nerve cells, a focused laser beam of 1480 nm is irradiated, and the wells 5 and 5 are grooved. 11-1 is connected, and the projection of each nerve cell is guided to the groove 11-1 formed in the agarose gel membrane 1. This forms a gap junction between neurons. Similarly, the agarose gel film portions between the wells 5 of the eight well groups 13 containing the myocardial pulsation cells are connected by the groove 11-2 to form a circuit between the myocardial pulsation cells. Here, the reason why the cell culture is not started in the state where the grooves between the wells 5 have been dug in advance is to prevent these cells from protruding in random directions and preventing one cell from joining a plurality of cells, This is for forming one row of cell circuits. This is because if the grooves 11-1 and 11-2 are dug in advance, there is a possibility of jumping over the well 5 and joining with cells in the adjacent well. That is, if there is a highly active cell, this cell stretches tentacles in various directions. On the other hand, if the cells in the wells adjacent to this are low in activity, the tentacles are not extended much. In this case, a highly active cell may bind to a plurality of cells. For this reason, it is good not to dig a groove | channel beforehand but to dig a groove | channel when joining between cells. Moreover, for example, when different types of cells of the nervous system are placed in each well 5 of the well group 12, it is necessary to strictly manage the order of connection between the cells. Therefore, it is more effective to dig the groove after the tentacles of the cell have grown.

  Finally, in order to connect the circuit of the nerve cells in the well group 12 and the heartbeat cells in the well group 13, the agarose gel between them is irradiated with a convergent light laser. As a result, a cell circuit in which 8 nerve cells and 8 myocardial pulsatile cells are connected at one place by the groove 11-3 can be formed. In this example, in the experiment, when the signal flow is one-dimensional, that is, when a signal from a nerve cell in the well 5 of the well group 12 enters a heartbeat cell in the well 5 of the well group 13, In order to examine how this signal is transmitted to the myocardial pulsatile cells in the well 5, it is easier to perform data analysis in a one-dimensional manner, that is, the connection between the wells 5 at the ends of the well groups 12 and 13. When it is desired to analyze the signal transmission in a more complicated circuit between the nerve cells in the well 5 of the well group 12 and the myocardial pulsation cells in the well 5 of the well group 13, the connection is made between arbitrary wells 5 depending on the purpose. It ’s fine.

  In such a cell circuit network, it can be observed that, for example, when the electrical stimulation or the ionic state is changed in any one of the nerve cells, the periodic pulsation of the myocardial pulsation cell is changed. That is, it can be used as a cell circuit for bioassays of various drugs. The number of cells is 8 each because in myocardial pulsation cells and nerve cells, when 4 or more cells are connected to each other by protrusions rather than single cells, This is because mutual cooperation can be obtained. This is because, especially when the number of cells is 8 or more, the variation in myocardial pulsation and the like can be suppressed to about 10% (there is a variation of about 50% by itself).

  In Example 1, the upper surface of the well 5 made of the agarose gel film 1 is open, but in general, if there is a wall of 100 μm, there is no problem because normal animal cells cannot get over. If necessary, another cellulosic film is stretched over the entire well 5 to prevent inadvertent movement of the cells.

  Finally, a method of removing the cellulose film 2 and further attaching one surface of fibroblast onto the cellulose film 2 will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows a cell structure 20 in which circuits of nerve cells 23 and myocardial pulsation cells 24 are fixed on a fibroblast sheet 22 on a cellulose membrane 21 at the BB position in FIG. FIG.

  First, the structure made of the cellulose film 2 and the agarose gel film 1 formed on the glass substrate 3 described with reference to FIG. 1 is separated, separated from the glass substrate 3, and floated in the container 6. To do. For this purpose, cellulase is added to the culture medium 7 in the container 6 containing the cell culture microchamber 10 in which the cell circuit is completed. The amount of cellulase at this time is selected so that the final concentration is 50 mg / ml. When incubated at 37 ° C. in this state, the cellulose film 2 on the glass substrate 3 is naturally decomposed.

  Separately, a fibroblast cultured in a sheet form is prepared, and the surface of the agarose gel film 1 in which the cellulose film 2 is dissolved is brought into contact therewith. When the culture is continued in this state, a cell structure construct 20 in which the agarose gel membrane 1 is directly attached on the fibroblast layer 22 is formed. Here, nerve cells 23 are placed in the left well 5, and myocardial pulsatile cells 24 are placed in the right well 5, and both are joined by extending the tentacles in the groove 11-3. . In FIG. 3, reference numeral 21 denotes a cellulose membrane, which is a cellulose membrane 2 used for forming the agarose gel membrane 1 as can be seen from the following description of the sheet-like fibroblast. Is different.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a groove is formed during cell culture between the wells of cells to be combined. Therefore, the cellulose film 2 and the agarose gel film 1 can be formed on the glass substrate 3. After forming the structure, a well 5 is formed in the agarose gel film 1 and cells are placed therein, and a groove connecting the well 5 is formed. That is, after the cells are first put in and a cell circuit network is formed, the cellulose membrane 2 is dissolved with cellulase, and then the cellulose membrane 2 is brought into contact with the fibroblast sheet 22. Nerve cells 23 and myocardial pulsatile cells 24 stick tentacles to fibroblast sheet 22 and stick together.

In order to culture fibroblasts into a sheet, a cellulose membrane (fractionated molecular weight 30,000 Dalton, 55 mmφ) 21 coated with gelatin is spread on a dish (60 mm) containing 5 ml of serum-containing medium 1. Pre-incubate for 30 minutes at 5% CO ₂ , 37 ° C. to allow the medium to adapt to the cellulose membrane. Add 0.5 ml of fibroblast suspension and incubate at 37 ° C. in a CO ₂ incubator. During this culture, the medium is replaced with fresh if necessary. As the culture progresses, fibroblast myocardial pulsatile cells spread in a sheet shape over almost the entire cellulose membrane 21. A state in which the fibroblast is formed into a sheet on the cellulose film 21 is schematically shown in 22.

(Example 2)
In Example 1, the cellulose film 2 was placed on the upper surface of the flat glass substrate 3, but in Example 2, the support for holding the cellulose film 2 was devised and placed in the well 5 of the agarose gel film 1. An example will be described in which cell control during culturing of cells is easier.

  FIG. 4A shows a bird's-eye view of the cell culture microchamber, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view seen in the direction of the arrow at the BB position. In the substrate 100, a structure body 101 having a thickness of 2 mm is formed on the upper surface of a glass plate 3 having a size of 60 × 60 mm. The structure 101 may be formed by forming a shape and polymerizing polydimethylsiloxane, or may be formed by cutting the entire body 2 and 101 from plastic instead of the glass 3. Alternatively, 101 may be created by SU8. A diamond-shaped pool 102 having a depth of 2 mm through which a solution such as a medium flows is formed in the structure 101, and a plurality of beams 103 having a width of 1 mm and a height of 2 mm are formed in the pool 102. The distance between the beams 103 is approximately 1 mm. The end of each beam 103 is formed away from the periphery of the pool 102. Spaces 104 for taking in and out the solution are formed at two opposing locations of the pool 102. A diffusion plate 105 having a height of 1.5 mm is formed between the space 104 and the beam 101 so that the liquid flows evenly between the beams 103.

  Reference numeral 2 denotes a cellulose film, which is a size covering the entire upper surface of the structure 101, and the thickness is assumed to be approximately 30 to 100 μm, although it varies depending on the product. Reference numeral 111 denotes an opening which is provided at a position corresponding to the space 104 for taking in and out the solution.

  Reference numeral 115 denotes a plastic thin plate having a thickness of about 100 μm. The thickness of the plastic thin plate 115 is preferably the same as the thickness of the agarose gel film 1. The plastic thin plate 115 is used as a support for the cellulose film 2 and is also a wall material for forming the agarose gel film 1. The agarose gel film 1 is formed at a position corresponding to the diamond-shaped pool 102 in the center of the plastic thin plate 115, which will be described later. Further, openings 116 are formed at positions corresponding to the solution loading / unloading spaces 104 at both ends of the plastic thin plate 115. In FIG. 4A, the cellulose film 2 and the plastic thin plate 115 are drawn apart from each other and also drawn away from the upper surface of the structure 101. As shown in FIG. It is piled up in close contact.

  Here, before the agarose gel film 1 is formed, the cellulose film 2 may be adhered to the plastic thin plate 115 with an adhesive, or simply placed on the upper surface of the structure 101 of the SU8, It may be simply sandwiched between the plastic thin plates 115. In any case, the cellulose membrane 2 and the plastic thin plate 115 are integrated on the upper surface of the structure 101 and assembled before the agarose gel membrane 1 is formed.

  Agarose having a melting temperature of about 65 ° C. is used at a concentration of 1.5%. Agarose melted in a microwave oven is applied to the cellulose film 2 in the formation region of the cellulose film 2 integrated with the plastic thin plate 115, and left standing for 30 minutes in a room temperature wet state. As a result, a plastic thin plate 115 in which the agarose gel film 1 is stretched on the cellulose film 2 can be obtained.

  A method of forming the well 11 and the groove 11 connecting the wells 5 will be described. Unlike Example 1, the substrate 100 is not necessarily transparent to the convergent light having a wavelength of 1480 nm. Therefore, in the state as it is, it cannot be said that the groove 11 connecting the well 5 and the well 5 is simply formed by irradiating the convergent light as in the first embodiment.

  For the well 5, when the cellulose film 2 is bonded to the plastic thin plate 115 with an adhesive before the agarose gel film 1 is formed, the plastic thin plate 115 on which the agarose gel film 1 is formed is removed from the substrate 100. It is possible to process on a glass substrate transparent to the convergent light. However, when the cellulose film 2 is simply sandwiched between the plastic thin plate 115 and the upper surface of the structure 101 before the agarose gel film 1 is formed, another device is required. Similarly, another device is required for the formation of grooves that require processing after cell culture.

  As described above, when processing cannot be performed on a glass substrate that is transparent to the convergent light, convergent light having a wavelength at which absorption of light by water can be substantially ignored (for example, convergent light having a wavelength of 1064 nm) is used. To do. In the case of convergent light having a wavelength at which light absorption by water is substantially negligible, even if this light is irradiated to the agarose gel film 1, the agarose gel film 1 cannot absorb this and convert it into heat. I can't. For this reason, the convergent light is applied to the microneedle functioning as a transducer, the convergent light is converted into heat by the microneedle, and the agarose gel film 1 is processed by this heat.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining an outline of a system that uses a microneedle to convert convergent light into heat with the microneedle and processes the agarose gel film 1 with this heat. The cell culture microchamber in which the glass substrate 3, the structure 101, the cellulose film 2 and the plastic thin plate 115 on which the agarose gel film 1 is formed is integrated is placed in a chamber (not shown) containing a medium and placed on the stage 59. Placed in. The stage 59 is driven in any direction of XY by a driving device 35 that operates according to a driving signal of the personal computer 41. Reference numeral 31 denotes a camera, for example, a CCD camera, which photographs the processed surface of the agarose gel film 1 through lenses 32 and 33. At this time, a light source 34 is prepared, put through a half mirror 35 provided between the lenses 32 and 33, and illuminated from the direction of the arrow 36. In addition, the illumination of the processed surface may be such that light is directly applied from above the cell culture microchamber without using the half mirror 35. Reference numeral 41 denotes a so-called personal computer, which stores a necessary program, is given information on the machining surface from the camera 31, and receives an operation signal 42 from the user. Although not shown here, the personal computer 41 is provided with a display device, and a processed surface input from the camera 31 is displayed.

  Reference numeral 120 denotes a microneedle for processing the agarose gel film 1. A laser beam 121 is focused on the microneedle 120 by a lens 122 and irradiated as convergent light. As the microneedle 120, for example, silicon or carbon having a diameter of 2 μm at the tip is used. A laser beam 121 having a wavelength of 1064 nm is irradiated as convergent light by the lens 122 to the tip portion of the microneedle. Then, the temperature at the tip of the microneedle 120 rises and the agarose gel film 1 can be dissolved. While monitoring the processed surface of the agarose gel film 1, the stage 59 can be moved in the XY directions to dissolve and remove the necessary range of agarose gel.

  The microneedle 120 can be separated upward from the processing surface of the agarose gel film 1 by an instruction from the user through the personal computer 41. When the microneedle 120 moves upward, the irradiation of the convergent light 121 is preferably stopped. When one well 5 is formed by the microneedle 120 and the convergent light 121 while monitoring the processed surface of the agarose gel film 1, the user gives an instruction to raise the microneedle 120 to the personal computer 41. An instruction to raise the microneedle 120 is given to the vertical movement drive device 47, and the microneedle 120 moves upward and leaves the processing surface of the agarose gel film 1. A one-point difference line 48 means the linkage between the vertical movement drive device 47 and the microneedle 120. In a state where the microneedle 120 is separated from the processing surface of the agarose gel film 1, the user gives an instruction to move the stage 59 to the personal computer 41 in order to form the next well 5. In response to this instruction, the personal computer 41 gives a drive signal to the drive device 37, and the stage 59 is driven.

  The user monitors the tip of the microneedle 120 and stops the stage 59 when the tip of the microneedle 120 reaches a position where another well 5 is to be formed. At the new position, as described above, the microneedle 120 is lowered and irradiated with the convergent light 121 to form another well 5.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the situation in which the space between the wells 5 of the agarose gel film 1 is formed during cell culture using a microneedle in the same manner as FIG. FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the formation of the grooves 11-3 that connect the wells 5 illustrated in FIG. The cell culture microchamber in which the glass substrate 3, the SU8 structure 101, the plastic thin plate 115 on which the cellulose film 2 and the agarose gel film 1 are formed is integrated is as described with reference to FIG. While monitoring the processed surface of the agarose gel film 1, the groove 11-3 may be carved with the microneedle 120 and the convergent light 121 from one of the adjacent wells 5. In this method, regardless of the substrate on which the agarose gel is present, any cell circuit can be formed by connecting specific cell culture wells in order.

  In Example 2, as can be seen from FIG. 4A, the cell culture microchamber in which the plastic thin plate 115 on which the glass substrate 3, the structure 101, the cellulose film 2, and the agarose gel film 1 are formed is integrated with the opening 116. , 111, the tubes 117, 118 can be inserted into the solution loading / unloading space 104 of the diamond-shaped pool 102 formed in the SU8 structure 101. Therefore, by injecting cellulase from the opposite side of the agarose gel membrane 1 through these tubes 117 and 118, and directly contacting the cellulose membrane 2, the cellulose membrane 2 can be efficiently decomposed and cell culture is being performed. Can easily change the medium, and add or remove additives.

(Other)
In the above-described embodiments, all the cell culture microchambers have been described as completed cell culture microchambers. However, the cell culture microchamber requires researchers or the like who use the cell culture chamber to put cells or the like into the cell culture compartment 5 and to form grooves. Accordingly, in Example 1, a semipermeable membrane (cellulose membrane) 2 and a gel membrane 1 made of agarose or an agarose derivative formed thereon, and in some cases, a cell culture compartment 5 is formed on the gel membrane 1. The material is supplied as a product, and researchers who have purchased it put it on a suitable glass substrate, prepare a culture solution, put cells etc. into the cell culture compartment 5, and form a groove while proceeding with cell culture. It is practical to do.

  Similarly, in Example 2, the cellulose film 2 is bonded to the plastic thin plate 115 with an adhesive, and an agarose gel film is formed in the region where the agarose gel film 1 is formed on the plastic thin plate 115. The material forming the culture compartment 5 is supplied as a product, and further, a structure body 101 and a tube 117 in which a diamond-shaped pool 102 through which a solution such as a medium flows and a plurality of beams 103 that serve as a support material for the agarose gel film 1 are formed. , 118 are supplied as a microchamber kit for cell culture, and a researcher or the like who purchases the microchamber kit prepares a culture solution, puts the cells or the like into the cell culture compartment 5, and forms a groove while proceeding with cell culture. It is practical to do.

(A) shows the bird's-eye view of the cell culture microchamber of Example 1, (B) is sectional drawing seen in the arrow direction in the AA position. It is a top view which shows an example of the cell culture microchamber which formed the cell circuit. FIG. 2 shows an example of a cell structure 20 in which the circuits of nerve cells 23 and myocardial pulsatile cells 24 are fixed on a fibroblast sheet 22 on a cellulose membrane 21 at the BB position in FIG. It is sectional drawing. (A) shows a bird's-eye view of the cell culture microchamber, and (B) is a cross-sectional view seen in the direction of the arrow at the BB position. It is a schematic diagram explaining the outline | summary of the system which converts a converging light into heat with a microneedle using a microneedle, and processes the agarose gel film | membrane 1 with this heat. It is a schematic diagram explaining the outline | summary of the condition which forms between the wells 5 of the agarose gel film | membrane 1 during cell culture using a microneedle similarly to FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Agarose gel membrane, 2,21 ... Cellulose membrane, 3 ... Glass substrate, 5 ... Well, 6 ... Container, 7 ... Medium, 10 ... Cell culture microchamber which formed the cell circuit, 12 ... Well containing nerve cell 13: Group of wells containing myocardial pulsatile cells, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3 ... Groove, 20 ... Cell structure construct, 22 ... Fibroblast sheet, 23 ... Nerve cell, 24 ... Myocardium Pulsating cells, 31 ... CCD camera, 34 ... Light source, 35 ... Half mirror, 37 ... Drive device, 41 ... Personal computer, 42 ... Operation signal, 47 ... Vertical motion drive device, 59 ... Stage, 101 ... Structure, 102 ... Pool, 103 ... Beam, 104 ... Space for taking in and out solution, 105 ... Diffusion plate, 115 ... Plastic thin plate, 111, 116 ... Opening, 117, 118 ... Tube, 120 ... Ma Black needles, 121 ... laser light, 122 ... lens.

Claims (10)

Semipermeable membrane,
A gel film made of agarose or an agarose derivative formed on the semipermeable membrane,
A plurality of compartments formed in the gel film for confining cells in a specific spatial arrangement;
A microchamber for cell culture, characterized by comprising: Semipermeable membrane,
A gel film made of agarose or an agarose derivative formed on the semipermeable membrane,
A plurality of compartments formed in the gel film for confining cells in a specific spatial arrangement;
A cell culture microchamber having
A cell culture microchamber characterized in that a groove can be formed by locally heating an agarose gel gel film with convergent light in an arbitrary direction between the plurality of compartments.   The microchamber for cell culture according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the semipermeable membrane is a cellulose membrane. Placing a cell culture microchamber having a structure in which an agarose gel film is formed on a semipermeable membrane on a substrate;
Creating a predetermined number of cell compartments using focused light heating on the galose gel membrane;
Inserting cells into the cell compartment and culturing;
During the cell culture, an agarose gel film existing between the cell compartments in a direction in which the cells are to be bound in a predetermined order is irradiated with a laser focused light having a wavelength absorbed by water so that any cell compartment is grooved. Connecting with
Forming a cell structure in which the cells are joined together, and then removing the semipermeable membrane by acting cellulase on the semipermeable membrane;
The cell structure construction method characterized by this. Semipermeable membrane,
A thin plate attached on the semipermeable membrane and having an opening at the center,
A gel membrane made of agarose or agarose derivative formed in the opening of the thin plate and supported by the semipermeable membrane;
A plurality of compartments formed in the gel film for confining cells in a specific spatial arrangement;
A microchamber for cell culture, characterized by comprising: A pool that is open at the top and can hold a solution; and a microstructure substrate having a plurality of beams formed at predetermined intervals in the pool;
A semipermeable membrane, a thin plate affixed on the semipermeable membrane and having a central portion serving as an opening corresponding to the pool, and agarose or agarose formed in the thin plate opening and supported by the semipermeable membrane A gel membrane made of a derivative of the above, and a cell culture microchamber having a plurality of compartments formed in the gel membrane for confining cells in a specific spatial arrangement,
A microchamber kit for cell culture, comprising:   The cell culture microchamber kit according to claim 6, wherein the cell culture microchamber has openings communicating with the pool at both end positions of the opening. A pool that is open at the top and can hold a solution; and a microstructure substrate having a plurality of beams formed at predetermined intervals in the pool;
A semipermeable membrane, a thin plate affixed on the semipermeable membrane and having a central portion serving as an opening corresponding to the pool, and agarose or agarose formed in the thin plate opening and supported by the semipermeable membrane A gel membrane made of a derivative of the above, and a cell culture microchamber having a plurality of compartments formed in the gel membrane for confining cells in a specific spatial arrangement,
The cell culture microchamber has an opening communicating with the pool at both ends of the opening, and supplies or discharges the culture solution to the pool via a tube communicating with the pool through the opening. A cell culture device.   9. The cell culture according to claim 8, wherein when the cell culture reaches a predetermined stage, cellulase having a predetermined concentration is supplied to the pool through a tube communicating with the pool, and the semipermeable membrane is dissolved and removed. apparatus.   5. The cell structure according to claim 4, wherein the groove of the agarose gel film is formed by local heating by irradiating a part of the microneedle brought into contact with the agarose gel film with laser focused light in the process of cell culture. Construction method.

Images