Tissue-specific extracellular matrix for the larger-scaled expansion of spinal cord organoids

Abstract

Spinal cord organoids (SCOs) are in vitro models that faithfully recapitulate the basic tissue architecture and cell types of the spinal cord and play a crucial role in developmental studies, disease modeling, and drug screening. Physiological cues are required for proliferation and differentiation during SCO culture. However, commonly used basement membrane matrix products, such as Matrigel®, lack tissue-specific biophysical signals. The current study utilizes decellularization process to fabricate tissue-derived hydrogel from porcine spinal cord tissue that retain intrinsic matrix components. This gel system supported an expanded neuroepithelial scale and enhanced ventral recognition patterns during SCO cultivation. Based on the characteristics of the enlarged aggregate size, a technical system for SCO cutting and subculture are proposed to improve the economic feasibility. Finally, the advantage of S-gel in maintaining neurite outgrowth are also found, which suggests its potential application in neural-related microphysiological systems.