Macroporous scaffolds with adaptable mechanical and biomolecular
properties can be instrumental in enabling cell-based therapies. To
meet these requirements, a cryostructuration method was adapted to
prepare spongy hydrogels based on chemically cross-linked star-shaped
poly(ethylene glycol) (starPEG) and heparin. Subzero temperature treatment
of the gel forming reaction mixtures and subsequent lyophilization
of the incompletely frozen gels resulted in macroporous biohybrid
cryogels showing rapid swelling, porosity of up to 92% with interconnected
large pores (30–180 μm), low bulk stiffness, and high
mechanical stability upon compression. The applicability of the cryogel
scaffolds was investigated using human umbilical vein endothelial
cells. Cell attachment and three-dimensional spreading resulted in
evenly distributed viable cells within the macroporous starPEG-heparin
materials, demonstrating the significant translational potential of
the developed three-dimensional cell carriers.
Highly macroporous semisynthetic cryogel microcarriers can be synthesized for culturing stem cells and neuronal type cells. Growth factors loaded to heparin-containing microcarriers show near zero-order release kinetics and cell-loaded microcarriers can be injected through a fine gauge cannula without negative effect on the cells. These carriers can be applied for cell transplantation applications.
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