Tissue-specific micropattern array chips fabricated via decellularized ECM for 3D cell culture *

Multicellular three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models, such as cell spheroids and organoids, can significantly improve the viability, histomorphology, genotype stability, function and drug metabolism of cells [1-3] . In general, several culture methods of 3D models, including the hang-ing drop, microwell-mesh and hydrogel encapsulating methods, have difficulty building a stan-dard mode and controlling the size and arrangement of cell spheroids or organoids, which could severely affect the authenticity and repeatability of experimental results [4] . Another key factor in 3D in vitro models is the extracellular matrix (ECM), which can determine cell viability, pro-liferation, differentiation, function, migration and organization [5] . In this study, micropattern array chips combined with decellularized ECM (dECM) not only provide tissue-specific ECM but also control the size and arrangement of 3D models. center dot Methods have been established to demonstrate the use of dECM as a bioink to generate dECM-coated micropattern array chips by microcontact printing. center dot The micropattern can limit cell growth and migration, and cells spontaneously assemble into cell spheroids with uniform size and orderly arrangement.