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Updated: Jul 16, 2025
Preparation of 3D Collagen Gels and Microchannels for the Study of 3D Interactions In Vivo
Published on: May 9, 2016
Ultra-Rapid and Specific Gelation of Collagen Molecules for Transparent and Tough Gels by Transition Metal
Tomoyuki Suezawa1, Naoko Sasaki2, Yuichi Yukawa1
1Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
Abstract:
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and one of the main components of stromal tissues in tumors which have a high elastic modulus of over 50 kPa. Although collagen has been widely used as a cell culture scaffold for cancer cells, there have been limitations when attempting to fabricate a tough collagen gel with cells like a cancer stroma. Here, rapid gelation of a collagen solution within a few minutes by transition metal complexation is demonstrated. Type I collagen solution at neutral pH shows rapid gelation with a transparency of 81% and a high modulus of 1,781 kPa by mixing with K2 PtCl4 solution within 3 min. Other transition metal ions also show the same rapid gelation, but not basic metal ions. Interestingly, although type I to IV collagen molecules show rapid gelation, other extracellular matrices do not exhibit this phenomenon. Live imaging of colon cancer organoids in 3D culture indicates a collective migration property with modulating high elastic modulus, suggesting activation for metastasis progress. This technology will be useful as a new class of 3D culture for cells and organoids due to its facility for deep-live observation and mechanical stiffness adjustment.
