Modulated Crosslinking of Macroporous Polymeric Cryogel Affects In Vitro Cell Adhesion and Growth

Abstract

Cell to matrix interactions affect in vitro cell adherence and proliferation and further decide the fate of tissue development for biomedical applications. This study demonstrates the role of crosslinking in altering the surface properties of 3D porous cryogel matrices. Glutaraldehyde and 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide crosslinkers are used separately for the crosslinking of alginate and gelatin (i.e., AG(G) and AG(EN)), respectively. The difference in crosslinking affects the physiochemical properties of these matrices leading to variable cell behavior as demonstrated using four different cell types, which show homogeneous cell growth in AG(G) and spheroid cell growth in AG(EN). The present study shows successful use of controlled crosslinking in directing the cell growth for tissue engineering.

Towards ready-to-use 3-D scaffolds for regenerative medicine: adhesion-based cryopreservation of human mesenchymal stem cells attached and spread within alginate–gelatin cryogel scaffolds

“…First to mention is the good adhesion potential of the sponges resulting in cell growth, proliferation and migration [31]. With electron scanning microscopy we observed cell traces and showed here, that the chemical coupling of gelatin to alginate [19] enables an excellent adhesion of therapeutically interesting mesenchymal stem cells.…”

“…With electron scanning microscopy we observed cell traces and showed here, that the chemical coupling of gelatin to alginate [19] enables an excellent adhesion of therapeutically interesting mesenchymal stem cells. Secondly, cryogels with pore sizes up to 100 μm allow cell–cell connections and cell-environment interactions like proliferation, migration and signaling [28, 31, 69, 70], which we could proof by laser scanning microscopy. These properties may lead the way for applications in wound healing and tissue repair.…”

“…Recently we proposed a chemical binding of gelatin to walls of alginate sponges, promoting hMSCs adhesion, growth and proliferation without interrupting of adipogenic, chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation [19]. The bio-, and cytocompatibility of these alginate-gelatin scaffolds, as well as other alginate-cryogel compositions, have already been shown: they exhibit good adhesion, growth, and proliferation characteristics for various cell types and have a high potential to serve as matrix for tissue engineered transplantation units [23, 27–31]. …”

Preparation of a sponge-like biocomposite agarose–chitosan scaffold with primary hepatocytes for establishing an in vitro 3D liver tissue model

“…12,26 The relative cell viability (%) was expressed as a percentage relative to the viable cells number. Hepatocyte cell growth in AG-CH scaffold.…”

“…6 Designing of a scaffold should also take into account the possibility for easy sterilization to prevent it from infection. 11,12 Interestingly, composites of natural polymers have shown increase in mechanical stability and improved cell interaction. 8,9 Afore mentioned requirements for scaffold material are numerous.…”