Cell-type specific four-component hydrogel.
In the field of regenerative medicine we aim to develop implant matrices for specific tissue needs. By combining two per se, cell-permissive gel systems with enzymatic crosslinkers (gelatin/transglutaminase and fibrinogen/thrombin) to generate a blend (technical term: quattroGel), an unexpected cell-selectivity evolved. QuattroGels were porous and formed cavities in the cell diameter range, possessed gelation kinetics in the minute range, viscoelastic properties and a mechanical strength appropriate for general cell adhesion, and restricted diffusion. Cell proliferation of endothelial cells, chondrocytes and fibroblasts was essentially unaffected. In contrast, on quattroGels neither endothelial cells formed vascular tubes nor did primary neurons extend neurites in significant amounts. Only chondrocytes differentiated properly as judged by collagen isoform expression. The biophysical quattroGel characteristics appeared to leave distinct cell processes such as mitosis unaffected and favored differentiation of sessile cells, but hampered differentiation of migratory cells. This cell-type selectivity is of interest e.g. during articular cartilage or invertebral disc repair, where pathological innervation and angiogenesis represent adverse events in tissue engineering.
Naturwissenschaftliches und Medizinisches Institut an der Universität Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany.
Timo
T
Aberle
Naturwissenschaftliches und Medizinisches Institut an der Universität Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany.
Katrin
K
Franke
Naturwissenschaftliches und Medizinisches Institut an der Universität Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany.
Elke
E
Rist
Naturwissenschaftliches und Medizinisches Institut an der Universität Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany.
Karin
K
Benz
Naturwissenschaftliches und Medizinisches Institut an der Universität Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany.
Burkhard
B
Schlosshauer
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002477:Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000378:metabolism; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004058:Diffusion; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry*; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D051381:Rats; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D012212:Rheology; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D055682:Viscoelastic Substances / Q000737:chemistry*
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D017931:DNA Primers; D055682:Viscoelastic Substances; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine