title: Layered Alginate Constructs: A Platform for Co-culture of Heterogeneous Cell Populations.
abstract: Many load bearing tissues possess structurally and functionally distinct regions, typically accompanied by different cell phenotypes with differential mechanosensing characteristics. Engineering and analysis of these tissue types remain a challenge. Layered hydrogel constructs provide an opportunity for investigating the interactions among multiple cell populations within single constructs. Alginate hydrogels are both biocompatible and allow for easy isolation of cells after experimentation. Here, we describe a method for the development of small sized dual layered alginate hydrogel discs. This process maintains high cell viability of human mesenchymal stem cells during the formation process and these layered discs can withstand unconfined cyclic compression, commonly used for stimulation of hMSCs undergoing chondrogenesis. These layered constructs can potentially be scaled up to include additional levels, and also be used to segregate cell populations initially after layering. This dual layer alginate hydrogel culture platform can be used for many different applications including engineering and analysis of cells of load bearing tissues and co-cultures of other cell types.
authors: Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland; psharma5@umd.edu.
authors: Poonam
authors: P
authors: Sharma
authors: Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland.
authors: Julianne D
authors: JD
authors: Twomey
authors: Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland.
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Patkin
authors: Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland; hsieh@umd.edu.
authors: Adam H
authors: AH
authors: Hsieh
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002470:Cell Survival; D020219:Chondrogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D020723:Glucuronic Acid