Cell-Instructive Microgels with Tailor-Made Physicochemical Properties.
A microfluidic in vitro cell encapsulation platform to systematically test the effects of microenvironmental parameters on cell fate in 3D is developed. Multiple cell types including fibroblasts, embryonic stem cells, and cancer cells are incorporated in enzymatically cross-linked poly(ethylene glycol)-based microgels having defined and tunable mechanical and biochemical properties. Furthermore, different approaches to prevent cell "escape" from the microcapsules are explored and shown to substantially enhance the potential of this technology. Finally, coencapsulation of microgels within nondegradable gels allows cell viability, proliferation, and morphology to be studied in different microenvironmental conditions up to two weeks in culture.
Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences and School of Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Simone
S
Allazetta
Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences and School of Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Laura
L
Kolb
Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences and School of Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Samantha
S
Zerbib
Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences and School of Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Jo'an
J
Bardy
Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences and School of Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.|Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, School of Basic Science, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Matthias P
MP
Lutolf
D002214:Capsules; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment / Q000502:physiology; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000379:methods; D008863:Microspheres; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
D002214:Capsules; D020100:Hydrogels; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
3D encapsulation; hydrogels; microfluidics; microgels; stem cells