Nucleoside-Derived Low-Molecular-Weight Gelators as a Synthetic Microenvironment for 3D Cell Culture

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cell Biology
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Conventional 2D cell culture methods have biological limitations.
• Hydrogel-based systems mimic living tissue properties for 3D culture.
• Low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) offer tunable and reversible gelation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the proof of concept of nucleoside-derived LMWGs as a 3D cell culture scaffold.
• To characterize LMWG hydrogels for optimal cell culture microenvironment properties.
• To evaluate the performance of LMWG scaffolds in supporting glioblastoma cell growth.

Main Methods:

• Physicochemical characterization of hydrogels (mechanical properties, architecture, diffusion, porosity).
• Culturing glioblastoma cells on LMWG scaffolds for over one month.
• Assessment of cell viability, proliferation, and spatial organization.

Main Results:

• Nucleoside-derived LMWGs function as a soft 3D cell culture scaffold.
• One hydrogel formulation supported sustained cell proliferation and spheroidal organization.
• The LMWG scaffolds exhibited optimal viscoelasticity and thermoreversibility for cell culture.

Conclusions:

• Nucleoside-derived LMWGs are a viable soft scaffold for 3D cell culture.
• These hydrogels facilitate spheroid formation from patient cells for personalized therapies.
• LMWG scaffolds offer advantages in material consumption and experimental practicality.