OBJECTIVETo compare macroporous microcarrier Cytopore 2 and Cultispher S for their effects in microgravity culture of CL-1 cells.

METHODSCL-1 cells were cultured on Cytopore 2 and Cultispher S respectively in a rotational cell culture system (RCCS) in a volume of 50 ml. Dynamic morphological observation and cell counting and functional test were carried out during the cell culture.

RESULTSThe cells were capable of adhering to and proliferating on both of the microcarriers, reaching the growth peak on day 9 of cell culture with the maximum cell density of 4x10(6)/ml on cultispher S. Albumin was significantly higher in the supernatant of Cytopore 2 than in that of Cultispher S on days 10, 11, and 12 (P<0.05), and the urea level in the supernatant of cytopore 2 was also significantly higher on days 10 and 11 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe cells cultured on Cytopore 2, though with a smaller cell number, display better functions than those cultured on Cultispher S under RCCS conditions.