The viability of cell that encapsulated in calcium alginate hydrogel beads

Abstract Objective To prove that calcium alginate beads can be used as scaffolds during in vitro culture. Methods Mouse preosteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) were encapsulated in calcium alginate hydrogel beads. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to assess cell viability at 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, and 21 days. Calcein-AM and propidium iodide (PI) were employed for live/dead staining. Results MC3T3-E1 cells were alive on day 21 and had the highest viability on day 14. Conclusion MC3T3-E1 cells could be encapsulated in calcium alginate hydrogel beads and cultured. Calcium alginate hydrogel beads can be used as scaffolds for three-dimensional in vitro culture.