Development of Multi-Layered Cell-Hydrogel Composites Using an Acoustic Focusing Technique

• Published in: Biotechnology progress Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 600 - 605
• Main Authors: Mazzoccoli, Jason P., Feke, Donald L., Baskaran, Harihara, Pintauro, Peter N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.2010
• ISSN: 8756-7938; 1520-6033
• DOI: 10.1002/btpr.332

Multi-layered composites composed of mammalian cells arranged in a hydrogel have been prepared using an acoustic focusing technique. Acoustic focusing is a simple, non-chemical technique that allows for the fast arrangement of cells in matrices where the control of cell geometry is beneficial. Breast cancer cells (MDA-MB231), were dispersed in a 30 wt % solution of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) of molecular weight 400 at a density of 5 × 10 6 cells per ml of PEGDA solution. An ultrasonic field was used to organize the cells into multiple layers prior to polymerization of PEGDA. Disk-shaped hydrogel composites, typically 1 cm in diameter and 2 mm thick were prepared based on a PEGDA solution volume of 130 uL. At an acoustic frequency of 2.32 MHz, composites were fabricated, where concentric rings/layers of cells were interspersed with cell-free hydrogel. The cells were located in annuli approximately 80 μm thick and about 300 μm apart. The structure and viability of the cells within these constructs were studied using a fluorescent LIVE/DEAD assay. The viability of the cells was on the order of 50%. Cell death was primarily attributed to exposure of cells to the PEGDA solution prior to polymerization, rather than adverse effects of polymerization or the sound field itself.