Rheological properties of cross-linked hyaluronan-gelatin hydrogels for tissue engineering.
Hydrogels that mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) are used in three-dimensional cell culture, cell therapy, and tissue engineering. A semi-synthetic ECM based on cross-linked hyaluronana offers experimental control of both composition and gel stiffness. The mechanical properties of the ECM in part determine the ultimate cell phenotype. We now describe a rheological study of synthetic ECM hydrogels with storage shear moduli that span three orders of magnitude, from 11 to 3 500 Pa, a range important for engineering of soft tissues. The concentration of the chemically modified HA and the cross-linking density were the main determinants of gel stiffness. Increase in the ratio of thiol-modified gelatin reduced gel stiffness by diluting the effective concentration of the HA component.
Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, 419 Wakara Way, Suite 205, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108-1257, USA.
Janssen L
JL
Vanderhooft
Mataz
M
Alcoutlabi
Jules J
JJ
Magda
Glenn D
GD
Prestwich
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D004548:Elasticity; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D015394:Molecular Structure; D012212:Rheology; D033081:Shear Strength; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D020100:Hydrogels; D005780:Gelatin; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid