Hyaluronic Acid Microparticles as a Versatile Platform for Spheroid-Based 3D Cell Culture and Tissue Engineering
Sun-Woong Kang1,*, Kamg Moo Huh2, Honghyun Park3
1Center for Biomimetic Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, Korea
Email:swkang@kitox.re.kr, Tel: +82-42-610-8209, FAX: +82-42-610-8157
2Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
3Department of Advanced Biomaterials Research, Ceramics Materials Division, Korea Institute of Materials Science, Changwon 51508, Republic of Korea
Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture technologies have emerged as essential tools in regenerative medicine, drug screening, and disease modeling. Among these, spheroid culture provides a physiologically relevant environment that enhances cell-cell interactions and mimics native tissue microenvironments. However, traditional spheroid culture methods often face challenges such as poor structural integrity, limited nutrient diffusion, and difficulty in maintaining long-term viability.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) microparticles offer a promising solution by serving as a biomimetic scaffold that supports spheroid formation across various cell types. HA microparticles provide a tunable microenvironment that enhances cell aggregation, extracellular matrix formation, and long-term cell viability, while simultaneously enabling efficient nutrient exchange. In this study, we have demonstrated that HA microparticle-based spheroid culture can be applied to hepatic [1], cartilage [2], and other tissue engineering models [3], showing improved functional outcomes compared to conventional methods. Additionally, HA microparticles facilitate spheroid transplantation, supporting cell survival and integration within host tissues, making them a valuable tool in regenerative therapies.
This approach opens new possibilities for developing personalized in vitro models for drug testing, engineering artificial organs, and advancing cell-based therapies. By leveraging the unique physicochemical properties of HA microparticles, researchers can customize 3D culture conditions to better mimic specific tissue environments. As research progresses, HA microparticle-based spheroid culture is expected to play a critical role in the development of next-generation biomaterials for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications.