Gibco Collagen I from bovine and rat

Collagen is the most widely used extracellular matrix (ECM) protein for cell culture, facilitating cell attachment, growth, differentiation, migration, and tissue morphogenesis.

Why is collagen used in cell culture?

Collagen I is used in both 2D and 3D cell culture to make the in vitro cellular environment more in vivo-like. A thin coating of diluted collagen solution supports cell attachment and growth of some primary cells, including hepatocytes. When collagen solution is neutralized, it forms a gel that can support 3D cell cultures. 

Collagen for cell culture in convenient liquid form

We offer Collagen I, rat tail (3 mg/ml) and Collagen I, bovine (5 mg/mL), providing the flexibility to use for both coating and gel-forming applications.

Figure 1 shows Gibco liquid collagen for cell culture and collagen from two other suppliers. These were prepared at the concentrations stated and allowed to solidify in individual wells of a 24-well plate. Gibco Collagen I forms a firm, clearer gel matrix.


Figure 1. Gibco Collagen I compared to collagen from other suppliers. Gibco liquid collagen for cell culture, Supplier A collagen, and Supplier B collagen were plated into a 24-well plate at 3 mg and 6 mg concentrations. After the collagen solidified, Gibco Collagen I (A) appears more solid and transparent versus other suppliers.

Research applications for collagen I

Collagen consists of three α-chains, which form a triple helix, providing tensile strength for the ECM. Collagen I is the most common fibrillar collagen for cell culture and is found in skin, bone, tendons, and other connective tissues.

Collagen I plays key roles in cell biology and biomedical applications: 

  • Promotes attachment, proliferation, and differentiation in breast cancer cells [1]
  • Forms gland-like circular structures from embryonic stem cells [2]
  • Allows better representation of endometrial physiology and morphology in vitro, allowing for in vivo studies of endometrial cancer cell invasion [3]
  • Helps human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) adopt an in vitro spindle-shaped morphology and form solid cord-like assemblies [4]
  • Used for in vitro angiogenesis assays, as a barrier in cell invasion assays, and to enable cell adhesion studies [5–6]

References:

1. Chandrasekaran, S., et al. “Pro-adhesive and chemotactic activities of thrombospondin-1 for breast carcinoma cells are mediated by alpha3beta1 integrin and regulated by insulin-like growth factor-1 and CD98.” Journal of Biological Chemistry 274, no. 16 (April 1999): 11,408–16.
2. Chen, S.S., et al. “Multilineage differentiation of rhesus monkey embryonic stem cells in three-dimensional culture systems.” Stem Cells 21 (2003): 281–295.
3. Park, D.W., et al. “A well-defined in vitro three-dimensional culture of human endometrium and its applicability to endometrial cancer invasion.” Cancer Letters 195 (2003): 185–192.
4. Whelan, M.C., et al. “Collagen I initiates endothelial cell morphogenesis by inducing actin polymerization through suppression of cyclic AMP and protein kinase A.” Journal of Biological Chemistry 278, no. 1 (January 2003): 327–334.
5. Kokenyesi, R., et al. “Invasion of interstitial matrix by a novel cell line from primary peritoneal carcinosarcoma, and by established ovarian carcinoma cell lines: role of cell-matrix adhesion molecules, proteinases, and E-cadherin expression.” Gynecologic Oncology 89, no. 1 (April 2003): 60–72.
6. Ritty, T.M., Herzog, J. “Tendon cells produce gelatinases in response to type I collagen attachment.” Journal of Orthopaedic Research 21, no. 3 (May 2003): 442–450.