Imaging Cell-Matrix Interactions in 3D Collagen Hydrogel Culture Systems
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Updated: Mar 7, 2026
Preparation of 3D Collagen Gels and Microchannels for the Study of 3D Interactions In Vivo
Published on: May 9, 2016
Aaron R Short1, Catherine Czeisler2, Benjamin Stocker1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
Abstract:
3D hydrogels better replicate in vivo conditions, and yield different results from 2D substrates. However, imaging interactions between cells and the hydrogel microenvironment is challenging because of light diffraction and poor focal depth. Here, cryosectioning and vibrating microtomy methods and fixation protocols are compared. Collagen I/III hydrogel sections (20-100 µm) are fixed with paraformaldehyde (2%-4%) and structurally evaluated. Cryosectioning damaged hydrogels, and vibrating microtomy (100 µm, 2%) yielded the best preservation of microstructure and cell integrity. These results demonstrate a potential processing method that preserves hydrogel and cell integrity, permitting imaging of cell interactions with the microenvironment.
