ad-MED Vitrigel ™ 2

The ad-MED Vitrigel™ 2 is a cell culture insert adopting a collagen Vitrigel™ membrane. Compared with conventional inserts using plastic membranes, they demonstrate high cell adhesion and spreading activity. They enable the construction of models that closely mimic biological tissues, which are useful for drug permeability testing, safety assessment, and cell–cell interaction assay.

Vitrigel™ is a registered trademark of National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO).
This product was developed in collaboration with the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, supported by Agri-Health Translational Research Project from the Ministry of Agriculture, Foresty and Fisheries of Japan.

Features
References
Product Lineup
Brochure
Manual

Collagen Vitrigel™

Collagen solution forms a gel depending on pH, temperature, and ionic strength conditions. When the moisture of the collagen gel is removed, the collagen fiber density increases and the collagen gel turns into a film. Because this dehydration process is called “vitrification”, the film produced by this method is called “Vitrigel™”.

Features

Membrane structure

Traditional cell culture inserts have track-etched polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membranes with a small pore size (0.4 µm). On the other hand, collagen Vitrigel™ membrane is composed of high density collagen fibers which have a collagen-specific stripe structure (see the SEM images below).

ad-MED Vitrigel™ 2
(Collagen Vitrigel™ membrane)

High transparency (Excellent visibility for cell observation)

Collagen Vitrigel™ membrane is highly transparent, allowing clear observation of cell morphology, as demonstrated in the microscopic images of Caco-2 cells shown below.

Low autofluorescent (Useful for immunostaining)

Collagen Vitrigel™ membrane exhibits low autofluorescence, enabling high-contrast fluorescence observation during immunostaining (see the fluorescence image below showing nuclear staining in Caco-2 cells).

High cell adhesion and proliferation

ad-MED Vitrigel™ 2 showed better adhesion and proliferation of Caco-2 cells compared to other commercial inserts (see the figure below).

Various culture systems (Separate/Double-sided culture)

ad-MED Vitrigel™ 2 supports various culture systems, including liquid phase, air-liquid interphase, separate and double-sided cultures (co-culture). These are particularly useful for analyzing intercellular interactions.

Double-sided culture
ad-MED Vitrigel™ 2 allows to co-culture different types of cells on both inner and outer side of collagen Vitrigel™ membrane (double-sided culture). Double-sided culture requires a separately sold optional ring.

References

　Intestine

Cell Types	Publication Title
hiPSC-intestinal organoids	Human pluripotent stem cell-derived intestinal organoids for pharmacokinetic studies. Saito T, Amako J, Watanabe T, Shiraki N, Kume S. Eur J Cell Biol. 2025 Jun;104(2):151489.
Caco-2	Bridging the gap between in vitro and in vivo solubility-permeability interplay. Oikawa M, Matsuura S, Okudaira T, Ito R, Arima K, Fushimi M, Oda T, Ohyama K, Kawakami K. J Pharm Sci. 2025 Jan;114(1):361-370.
PXB hiPSC-IECs	Gut-liver microphysiological systems revealed potential crosstalk mechanism modulating drug metabolism. Kurniawan DA, Leo S, Inamatsu M, Funaoka S, Aihara T, Aiko M, Rei I, Sakura T, Arakawa H, Kato Y, Matsugi T, Esashika K, Shiraki N, Kume S, Shinha K, Kimura H, Nishikawa M, Sakai Y. PNAS Nexus. 2024 Feb 9;3(2):pgae070.
hiPSC-IECs	The Effect of Vitamin D3 and Valproic Acid on the Maturation of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Enterocyte-Like Cells. Leo S, Kato Y, Wu Y, Yokota M, Koike M, Yui S, Tsuchiya K, Shiraki N, Kume S. Stem Cells. 2023 Aug 16;41(8):775-791.
hiPSC-IECs	Coculture with hiPS-derived intestinal cells enhanced human hepatocyte functions in a pneumatic-pressure-driven two-organ microphysiological system. Shinohara M, Arakawa H, Oda Y, Shiraki N, Sugiura S, Nishiuchi T, Satoh T, Iino K, Leo S, Kato Y, Araya K, Kawanishi T, Nakatsuji T, Mitsuta M, Inamura K, Goto T, Shinha K, Nihei W, Komori K, Nishikawa M, Kume S, Kato Y, Kanamori T, Sakai Y, Kimura H. Sci Rep. 2021 Mar 8;11(1):5437.
hiPSC-IECs	Generation of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Functional Enterocyte-Like Cells for Pharmacokinetic Studies. Yoshida S, Honjo T, Iino K, Ishibe R, Leo S, Shimada T, Watanabe T, Ishikawa M, Maeda K, Kusuhara H, Shiraki N, Kume S. Stem Cell Reports. 2021 Feb 9;16(2):295-308.

　Liver and Cholangiocyte

Cell Types	Publication Title
HepG2	Potential of connexin 32 as a predictive marker for drug-induced cholestatic liver injury in a collagen vitrigel-culture model of HepG2-NIAS cells, a new subline of HepG2 cells, with bile canaliculus-like structures. Uzu M, Takezawa T. J Toxicol Sci. 2025
HepG2	Activation of S1PR2 on macrophages and the hepatocyte S1PR2/RhoA/ROCK1/MLC2 pathway in vanishing bile duct syndrome. Miyagawa-Hayashino A, Imura T, Takezawa T, Hirai M, Shibata S, Ogi H, Tsujikawa T, Konishi E. PLoS One. 2025 Jan 24;20(1):e0317568.
HepG2	Modulation of hepatic cellular tight junctions via coculture with cholangiocytes enables non-destructive bile recovery. Tokito F, Kiyofuji M, Choi H, Nishikawa M, Takezawa T, Sakai Y. J Biosci Bioeng. 2024 May;137(5):403-411.
Cholangiocyte Organoids	Novel Screening System for Biliary Excretion of Drugs Using Human Cholangiocyte Organoid Monolayers with Directional Drug Transport. Mizoi K, Okada R, Mashimo A, Masuda N, Itoh M, Ishida S, Yamazaki D, Ogihara T. Biol Pharm Bull. 2024;47(2):427-433.
HepG2	Novel cell culture technology to harvest hepatic metabolites accumulated in the bile canaliculus-like structures between HepG2-NIAS cells utilizing crosstalk with TFK-1 cells. Uzu M, Takezawa T. Nano Biomedicine 15.2 (2023): 75-87.
hiPSC-hep	Activation of cAMP (EPAC2) signaling pathway promotes hepatocyte attachment. Helena GA, Watanabe T, Kato Y, Shiraki N, Kume S. Sci Rep. 2023 Jul 31;13(1):12352.
HepG2	HepG2-NIAS cells, a new subline of HepG2 cells that can enhance not only CYP3A4 activity but also expression of drug transporters and form bile canaliculus-like networks by the oxygenation culture via a collagen vitrigel membrane. Takezawa T, Uzu M. J Toxicol Sci. 2022;47(1):39-50.
hiPS-hep	Collagen vitrigel promotes hepatocytic differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into functional hepatocyte-like cells. Nakai S, Shibata I, Shitamichi T, Yamaguchi H, Takagi N, Inoue T, Nakagawa T, Kiyokawa J, Wakabayashi S, Miyoshi T, Higashi E, Ishida S, Shiraki N, Kume S. Biol Open. 2019 Jul 2;8(7):bio042192.
PXB-cells	Prediction of Human Hepatic Clearance for Cytochrome P450 Substrates via a New Culture Method Using the Collagen Vitrigel Membrane Chamber and Fresh Hepatocytes Isolated from Liver Humanized Mice. Watari R, Kakiki M, Yamasaki C, Ishida Y, Tateno C, Kuroda Y, Ishida S, Kusano K. Biol Pharm Bull. 2019;42(3):348-353.
PXB-cells	A long-term culture system based on a collagen vitrigel membrane chamber that supports liver-specific functions of hepatocytes isolated from mice with humanized livers. Watari R, Kakiki M, Oshikata A, Takezawa T, Yamasaki C, Ishida Y, Tateno C, Kuroda Y, Ishida S, Kusano K. J Toxicol Sci. 2018;43(8):521-529.

　kidney

Cell Types	Publication Title
HK-2	COMMD5 counteracts cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by maintaining tubular epithelial integrity and autophagy flux. Ogasawara-Nosoko M, Matsuda H, Ikeda J, Abe M, Masuhiro Y, Endo M, Hamet P, Tremblay J. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2024 Nov 1;327(5):F739-F757.

　Skin

Cell Types	Publication Title
hASCs HNDF	Adipose-derived stromal/stem cells improve epidermal homeostasis. Moriyama M, Sahara S, Zaiki K, Ueno A, Nakaoji K, Hamada K, Ozawa T, Tsuruta D, Hayakawa T, Moriyama H. Sci Rep. 2019 Dec 4;9(1):18371.
THP‑1	Development of a novel in vitro skin sensitization test method using a collagen Vitrigel membrane chamber Miyazaki H, Yamashita K, Uchino T, Takezawa T, Kojima H. Alternatives to Animal Testing and Experimentation 22.2 (2017): 141-154.

　Airway Epithelium

Cell Types	Publication Title
hiPSC-AEC	An Infection Model for SARS-CoV-2 Using Rat Transplanted with hiPSC-Airway Epithelial Cells. Kitano M, Ohnishi H, Makino A, Miyamoto T, Hayashi Y, Mizuno K, Kaba S, Kawai Y, Kojima T, Kishimoto Y, Yamamoto N, Tomonaga K, Omori K. Tissue Eng Part A. 2025 May;31(9-10):361-372.
hiPSC-AEC	Transplantation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Airway Epithelia at Different Induction Stages into Nude Rat. Mizuno K, Ohnishi H, Kishimoto Y, Okuyama H, Kawai Y, Kitano M, Hayashi Y, Omori K. Cell Reprogram. 2024 Dec;26(6):156-163.
hiPSC-AEC	Changes in the Proportion of Each Cell Type After hiPSC-Derived Airway Epithelia Transplantation. Kitano M, Hayashi Y, Ohnishi H, Okuyama H, Yoshimatsu M, Mizuno K, Kuwata F, Tada T, Kishimoto Y, Morita S, Omori K. Cell Transplant. 2024 Jan-Dec;33:9636897241228026.
hiPSC-AEC	Comparative Study of Immunodeficient Rat Strains in Engraftment of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Airway Epithelia. Hayashi Y, Ohnishi H, Kitano M, Kishimoto Y, Takezawa T, Okuyama H, Yoshimatsu M, Kuwata F, Tada T, Mizuno K, Omori K. Tissue Eng Part A. 2024 Feb;30(3-4):144-153.
hiPSC-AEC	Transplantation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Airway Epithelia with a Collagen Scaffold into the Nasal Cavity. Kitada Y, Ohnishi H, Yamamoto N, Kuwata F, Kitano M, Mizuno K, Omori K. Tissue Eng Part C Methods. 2023 Nov;29(11):526-534.
hiPSC-MCAC	Transplantation of multiciliated airway cells derived from human iPS cells using an artificial tracheal patch into rat trachea. Okuyama H, Ohnishi H, Nakamura R, Yamashita M, Kishimoto Y, Tateya I, Suehiro A, Gotoh S, Takezawa T, Nakamura T, Omori K. J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2019 Jun;13(6):1019-1030.

　Placenta

Cell Types	Publication Title
TS cells	Trophoblast stem cell-based organoid models of the human placental barrier. Hori T, Okae H, Shibata S, Kobayashi N, Kobayashi EH, Oike A, Sekiya A, Arima T, Kaji H. Nat Commun. 2024 Feb 8;15(1):962.

　Vascular Endothelium and Cerebral Microvascular Endothelium

Cell Types	Publication Title
PCNSL BVP	Development of a contacting transwell co-culture system for the in vitro propagation of primary central nervous system lymphoma. Nishi M, Tateishi K, Sundararaj JS, Ino Y, Nakai Y, Hatayama Y, Yamaoka Y, Mihana Y, Miyakawa K, Kimura H, Kimura Y, Yamamoto T, Ryo A. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2023 Nov 27;11:1275519.
HMEC-1 HDF	A Hybrid Human Microvascular Endothelial Cell Line Created by Utilizing a Cell Fusion Technique and Its Advantage for Expressing High Endothelial Barrier Function. Uzu M, Takezawa T. Nano Biomedicine, 14(1), 9-17.
HBMEC/ci18	Functional analysis of human brain endothelium using a microfluidic device integrating a cell culture insert. Miura S, Morimoto Y, Furihata T, Takeuchi S. APL Bioeng. 2022 Mar 9;6(1):016103.
HUVECs C2C12	Microfluidic system for applying shear flow to endothelial cells on culture insert with collagen vitrigel membrane. Morimoto Y, Nagata S, Matsumoto M, Sugahara K, Miura S, Takeuchi S. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical 348 (2021): 130675.
HMVECs HDM	Novel microvascular endothelial model utilizing a collagen vitrigel membrane and its advantages for predicting histamine-induced microvascular hyperpermeability. Uzu M, Takezawa T. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods. 2020 Nov-Dec;106:106916.
BECs pericytes astrocytes	Three-dimensional co-culture of blood-brain barrier-composing cells in a culture insert with a collagen vitrigel membrane. Shima A, Nagata S, Takeuchi S. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim. 2020 Aug;56(7):500-504.

　Others

Cell Types	Publication Title
ihAE ihAM	Transplanted artificial amnion membrane enhanced wound healing in third-degree burn injury diabetic mouse model. Arai K, Yoshida S, Furuichi E, Iwanaga S, Mir TA, Yoshida T. Regen Ther. 2024 Mar 26;27:170-180.
MeT-5A MS-1	Fluid dwell impact induces peritoneal fibrosis in the peritoneal cavity reconstructed in vitro. Aoki S, Noguchi M, Takezawa T, Ikeda S, Uchihashi K, Kuroyama H, Chimuro T, Toda S. J Artif Organs. 2016 Mar;19(1):87-96.
MeT-5A MS-1	Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and slit function of mesothelial cells are regulated by the cross talk between mesothelial cells and endothelial cells. Aoki S, Takezawa T, Oshikata-Miyazaki A, Ikeda S, Kuroyama H, Chimuro T, Oguchi Y, Noguchi M, Narisawa Y, Toda S. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2014 Jan 1;306(1):F116-22.

Product lineup

Product No.	Product Name	Membrane area (cm²)	Size	Storage temperature
08363-96	ad-MED Vitrigel™ 2 (12 well)	1.0	12 pieces /12-well plate	0–6 °C
08364-96	ad-MED Vitrigel™ 2 (24 well)	0.33	24 pieces /24-well plate	0–6 °C
08368-96	ad-MED Vitrigel™ 2 (96 well)	0.11	8-strip packs × 12 /96-well plate	0–6 °C
08369-96	Option Ring for ad-MED Vitrigel™ (12 well)	–	6pieces×4 (24 pieces)/1pack	–
08373-96	Option Ring for ad-MED Vitrigel™ (24 well)	–	6pieces×4 (24 pieces)/1pack	–
32448-67	Reservoir plate set for ad-MED Vitrigel 2 (96 well)	–	1set	–
44126-67	Vitrigel™ 2 Membrane (φ21 ㎜), sterlie	1.886	6sheets×4 (24 sheets)/1pack	0–6 °C
44125-67	Vitrigel™ 2 Membrane (φ15 ㎜), sterlie	0.865	6sheets×4 (24 sheets)/1pack	0–6 °C

Related Products

Cica TEER Measuring System (1CH) is a trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement device for the ad-MED Vitrigel™ 2 (12-well, 24-well). It is useful for evaluating barrier function in various epithelial and endothelial cells.
→Cica TEER Measuring System

　　Application note

Brochure

ad-MED Vitrigel™ 2 series

Manual

ad-MED Vitrigel™ 2 (12 well)

ad-MED Vitrigel™ 2 (24 well)

ad-MED Vitrigel™ 2 (96 well)

Products