POSS-enhanced thermosensitive hybrid hydrogels for cell adhesion and detachment

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogels are promising for cell sheet engineering due to their thermosensitive properties.
• Non-functionalized PNIPAM exhibits poor cell adhesion, limiting its application in cell cultivation.
• Enhancing PNIPAM substrates is crucial for promoting cell proliferation and controlled detachment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop enhanced PNIPAM-based substrates for improved cell adhesion, proliferation, and detachment.
• To investigate the incorporation of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) into PNIPAM matrices.
• To create POSS-PNIPAM hybrid hydrogels for cell sheet engineering applications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of POSS-PNIPAM hybrid hydrogels via one-pot UV-initiated crosslinking with POSS as a cross-linker.
• Evaluation of hydrogel swelling behavior, thermal stability, and mechanical properties.
• In vitro assessment of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cell (hAMSC) adhesion and proliferation on POSS-PNIPAM substrates.

Main Results:

• POSS-PNIPAM hybrid hydrogels demonstrated tunable swelling, thermal, and mechanical properties dependent on POSS content.
• Enhanced adhesion and proliferation of hAMSCs were observed on POSS-PNIPAM substrates compared to pure PNIPAM.
• Proliferated cells were easily and non-damagingly released from the hybrid hydrogel surface due to PNIPAM's thermal responsiveness.

Conclusions:

• POSS-PNIPAM hybrid hydrogels offer a superior platform for cell cultivation compared to pure PNIPAM.
• The incorporation of POSS significantly improves cell adhesion and proliferation on thermosensitive hydrogels.
• These enhanced hydrogels provide a novel approach for harvesting anchorage-dependent stem cells for tissue engineering.