The construction of cell-density controlled three-dimensional tissues by coating micrometer-sized collagen fiber matrices on single cell surfaces

Type I collagen fibers were coated onto single cell surfaces by capitalizing on the formation of collagen microfibers at a neutral pH and exploiting cell membrane interactions between collagen fibers and integrin receptors. Collagen fiber coat thicknesses were controllable from 3 to 30 μm. Multi-layered tissues with controllable thicknesses and cell densities were successfully constructed depending on the thickness of micrometer-sized collagen matrices.