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Viscoelastic hydrogels for 3D cell culture.

Ovijit Chaudhuri1

  • 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, 452 Escondido Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. chaudhuri@stanford.edu.

Biomaterials Science
|June 7, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Cellular behavior is influenced by the time-dependent mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Recent studies using viscoelastic hydrogels reveal significant impacts on cell spreading, proliferation, and differentiation.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Cell Biology
  • Tissue Engineering

Background:

  • Cells interact with a three-dimensional extracellular matrix (ECM) that is viscoelastic, exhibiting time-dependent mechanical properties like stress relaxation and creep.
  • Synthetic hydrogels are used as biomimetic ECMs for 3D cell culture to study cell-matrix interactions.
  • The role of time-dependent ECM mechanics on cell behavior is an emerging area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the characterization and molecular basis of hydrogel viscoelasticity and plasticity.
  • To describe methods for tuning hydrogel viscoelasticity for 2D and 3D cell culture.
  • To highlight recent findings on the impact of time-dependent hydrogel mechanics on cell behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of literature on hydrogel viscoelasticity and plasticity characterization.

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  • Description of novel approaches for tuning hydrogel viscoelastic properties.
  • Analysis of studies investigating cell responses to hydrogel stress relaxation and creep.

    • Main Results:

    • Hydrogel viscoelasticity and plasticity are characterized by their time-dependent mechanical responses.
    • New methods allow for precise tuning of hydrogel viscoelasticity for cell culture applications.
    • Hydrogel stress relaxation and creep significantly influence cell spreading, proliferation, and mesenchymal stem cell differentiation.

    Conclusions:

    • Time-dependent mechanics of the extracellular matrix play a potent role in regulating cell behaviors.
    • Understanding cell-matrix interactions requires further exploration of time-dependent mechanical cues.
    • This research guides the design of advanced biomaterials for regenerative medicine and understanding disease.