title: Rapid Formation of Cell Aggregates and Spheroids Induced by a "Smart" Boronic Acid Copolymer.
abstract: Cell surface engineering has emerged as a powerful approach to forming cell aggregates/spheroids and cell-biomaterial ensembles with significant uses in tissue engineering and cell therapeutics. Herein, we demonstrate that cell membrane remodeling with a thermoresponsive boronic acid copolymer induces the rapid formation of spheroids using either cancer or cardiac cell lines under conventional cell culture conditions at minute concentrations. It is shown that the formation of well-defined spheroids is accelerated by at least 24 h compared to non-polymer-treated controls, and, more importantly, the polymer allows for fine control of the aggregation kinetics owing to its stimulus response to temperature and glucose content. On the basis of its simplicity and effectiveness to promote cellular aggregation, this platform holds promise in three-dimensional tissue/tumor modeling and tissue engineering applications.
authors: UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London (UCL) , 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
authors: Adérito J R
authors: AJ
authors: Amaral
authors: UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London (UCL) , 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Pasparakis
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D011108:Polymers; D018874:Spheroids, Cellular; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001897:Boronic Acids; D011108:Polymers
keywords: 3D cell culture; PNIPAAm; boronic acid; cell spheroids; cell surface engineering; cell therapy; thermoresponsive polymer; tissue engineering