Fibrous Hydrogels for Cell Encapsulation: A Modular and Supramolecular Approach

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 11; no. 5; p. e0155625
• Main Authors: Włodarczyk-Biegun, Małgorzata K., Farbod, Kambiz, Werten, Marc W. T., Slingerland, Cornelis J., de Wolf, Frits A., van den Beucken, Jeroen J. J. P., Leeuwenburgh, Sander C. G., Cohen Stuart, Martien A., Kamperman, Marleen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 25.05.2016; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adhesives; BBP Bioconversion; Biochemistry; Biocompatibility; Biology and Life Sciences; Biomedical materials; Cancer; Cell culture; Cell Culture Techniques - methods; Cell Line; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Immobilized - cytology; Cells, Immobilized - metabolism; Cellular structure; Collagen; Controlled conditions; Crosslinking; Density; Encapsulation; Extracellular matrix; Extracellular Matrix - chemistry; FBR Bioconversion; Gels; Genetic engineering; Humans; Hydrogels; Hydrogels - chemistry; Measuring instruments; Mechanical properties; Metastasis; Methods; Mimicry; Oligopeptides - chemistry; Osteoblasts; Osteoblasts - cytology; Osteoblasts - metabolism; Physical chemistry; Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter; Physical Sciences; Physiology; Polymers; Proteins; Research and Analysis Methods; Spreading; Stiffening; Strain; Studies; VLAG; Netherlands
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155625

Artificial 3-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems, which mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM), hold great potential as models to study cellular processes under controlled conditions. The natural ECM is a 3D structure composed of a fibrous hydrogel that provides both mechanical and biochemical cues to instruct cell behavior. Here we present an ECM-mimicking genetically engineered protein-based hydrogel as a 3D cell culture system that combines several key features: (1) Mild and straightforward encapsulation meters (1) ease of ut I am not so sure.encapsulation of the cells, without the need of an external crosslinker. (2) Supramolecular assembly resulting in a fibrous architecture that recapitulates some of the unique mechanical characteristics of the ECM, i.e. strain-stiffening and self-healing behavior. (3) A modular approach allowing controlled incorporation of the biochemical cue density (integrin binding RGD domains). We tested the gels by encapsulating MG-63 osteoblastic cells and found that encapsulated cells not only respond to higher RGD density, but also to overall gel concentration. Cells in 1% and 2% (weight fraction) protein gels showed spreading and proliferation, provided a relative RGD density of at least 50%. In contrast, in 4% gels very little spreading and proliferation occurred, even for a relative RGD density of 100%. The independent control over both mechanical and biochemical cues obtained in this modular approach renders our hydrogels suitable to study cellular responses under highly defined conditions.