title: Enzymatically crosslinked gelatin hydrogel promotes the proliferation of adipose tissue-derived stromal cells.
abstract: Gelatin hydrogel crosslinked by microbial transglutaminase (mTG) exhibits excellent performance in cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. We examined the gelation time and gel strength of gelatin/mTG hydrogels in various proportions to investigate their physical properties and tested their degradation performancesin vitro. Cell morphology and viability of adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) cultured on the 2D gel surface or in 3D hydrogel encapsulation were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. Cell proliferation was tested via Alamar Blue assay. To investigate the hydrogel effect on cell differentiation, the cardiac-specific gene expression levelsof Nkx2.5, Myh6, Gja1, and Mef2c in encapsulated ADSCs with or without cardiac induction medium were detected by real-time RT-PCR. Cell release from the encapsulated status and cell migration in a 3D hydrogel model were assessedin vitro. Results show that the gelatin/mTG hydrogels are not cytotoxic and that their mechanical properties are adjustable. Hydrogel degradation is related to gel concentration and the resident cells. Cell growth morphology and proliferative capability in both 2D and 3D cultures were mainly affected by gel concentration. PCR result shows that hydrogel modulus together with induction medium affects the cardiac differentiation of ADSCs. The cell migration experiment and subcutaneous implantation show that the hydrogels are suitable for cell delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Information and Engineering, School of Electrical Engineering and Information, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Zhenghua
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Information and Engineering, School of Electrical Engineering and Information, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Xiaomei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Center of Engineering-Training, Chengdu Aeronautic Polytechnic, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Haiyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Yongchuan Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Yongchuan, Chongqin, China.
authors.forename: Kunlong
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Yingqiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
keywords: Adipose; Crosslink; Gelatin; Hydrogel; Stem cell; Transglutaminase