What are Adherent Cells?

Adherent cells are cells that, in culture, grow by attaching themselves to the surface of the culture vessel. This is in contrast to suspension cells, which grow freely floating in the culture medium. The method of culturing cells usually reflects the conditions in which they naturally exist within a living organism.

Adherent Cells Explained

Understanding adherent cells is crucial in cell biology and tissue engineering because their behavior and characteristics are influenced by their attachment to a substrate.

Definition: Adherent cells, also known as anchorage-dependent cells, need a solid surface to attach to in order to proliferate and survive.
Examples: Many cell types, such as fibroblasts, epithelial cells, and endothelial cells, are adherent.
Culture Conditions: These cells are typically cultured in flasks, dishes, or microcarriers that provide a surface for attachment.

Key Characteristics of Adherent Cells

Characteristic	Description
Anchorage	Require attachment to a surface for growth and survival.
Morphology	Often exhibit a flattened or spread-out morphology.
Growth Pattern	Form a monolayer (single layer) on the culture surface.
Examples	Fibroblasts, epithelial cells, endothelial cells are examples.

Importance in Cell Culture

Adherent cells are essential for a variety of research and industrial applications.

Cell Behavior: Studying cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions.
Drug Discovery: Testing the effects of drugs on cells in a more in vivo-like environment.
Tissue Engineering: Building tissues and organs for regenerative medicine.

Comparison with Suspension Cells

Feature	Adherent Cells	Suspension Cells
Attachment	Requires attachment to a surface.	Grows freely in suspension.
Morphology	Flattened or spread-out.	Round or spherical.
Culture Vessels	Flasks, dishes, microcarriers.	Spinner flasks, bioreactors.
Examples	Fibroblasts, epithelial cells, endothelial cells.	Blood cells (e.g., lymphocytes), hybridoma cells.