Rapid construction of mechanically- confined multi- cellular structures using dendrimeric intercellular linker.
Tissue constructs that mimic the in vivo cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions are especially useful for applications involving the cell- dense and matrix- poor internal organs. Rapid and precise arrangement of cells into functional tissue constructs remains a challenge in tissue engineering. We demonstrate rapid assembly of C3A cells into multi- cell structures using a dendrimeric intercellular linker. The linker is composed of oleyl- polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivatives conjugated to a 16 arms- polypropylenimine hexadecaamine (DAB) dendrimer. The positively charged multivalent dendrimer concentrates the linker onto the negatively charged cell surface to facilitate efficient insertion of the hydrophobic oleyl groups into the cellular membrane. Bringing linker- treated cells into close proximity to each other via mechanical means such as centrifugation and micromanipulation enables their rapid assembly into multi- cellular structures within minutes. The cells exhibit high levels of viability, proliferation, three- dimensional (3D) cell morphology and other functions in the constructs. We constructed defined multi- cellular structures such as rings, sheets or branching rods that can serve as potential tissue building blocks to be further assembled into complex 3D tissue constructs for biomedical applications.
Mo
Xuejun
X
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, S05-03-09, 3Science Drive 3, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
Li
Qiushi
Q
Yi Lui
Lena Wai
LW
Zheng
Baixue
B
Kang
Chiang Huen
CH
Nugraha
Bramasta
B
Yue
Zhilian
Z
Jia
Rui Rui
RR
Fu
Hong Xia
HX
Choudhury
Deepak
D
Arooz
Talha
T
Yan
Jie
J
Lim
Chwee Teck
CT
Shen
Shali
S
Hong Tan
Choon
C
Yu
Hanry
H
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011073:Polyamines / Q000737:chemistry; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
D050091:Dendrimers; D011073:Polyamines; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols