title: Fibrous Hydrogels for Cell Encapsulation: A Modular and Supramolecular Approach.
abstract: Artificial 3-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems, which mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM), hold great potential as models to study cellular processes under controlled conditions. The natural ECM is a 3D structure composed of a fibrous hydrogel that provides both mechanical and biochemical cues to instruct cell behavior. Here we present an ECM-mimicking genetically engineered protein-based hydrogel as a 3D cell culture system that combines several key features: (1) Mild and straightforward encapsulation meters (1) ease of ut I am not so sure.encapsulation of the cells, without the need of an external crosslinker. (2) Supramolecular assembly resulting in a fibrous architecture that recapitulates some of the unique mechanical characteristics of the ECM, i.e. strain-stiffening and self-healing behavior. (3) A modular approach allowing controlled incorporation of the biochemical cue density (integrin binding RGD domains). We tested the gels by encapsulating MG-63 osteoblastic cells and found that encapsulated cells not only respond to higher RGD density, but also to overall gel concentration. Cells in 1% and 2% (weight fraction) protein gels showed spreading and proliferation, provided a relative RGD density of at least 50%. In contrast, in 4% gels very little spreading and proliferation occurred, even for a relative RGD density of 100%. The independent control over both mechanical and biochemical cues obtained in this modular approach renders our hydrogels suitable to study cellular responses under highly defined conditions.
authors.affiliation: Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Małgorzata K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Włodarczyk-Biegun
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomaterials, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Kambiz
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Farbod
authors.affiliation: Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marc W T
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Werten
authors.affiliation: Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Cornelis J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Slingerland
authors.affiliation: Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frits A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: de Wolf
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomaterials, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jeroen J J P
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: van den Beucken
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomaterials, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sander C G
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Leeuwenburgh
authors.affiliation: Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Martien A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cohen Stuart
authors.affiliation: Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marleen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamperman
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018914:Cells, Immobilized / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D009842:Oligopeptides; C047981:arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid