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Gradient Strain Chip for Stimulating Cellular Behaviors in Cell-laden Hydrogel

Gradient Strain Chip for Stimulating Cellular Behaviors in Cell-laden Hydrogel

Published on: August 8, 2017

An optical system for cellular mechanostimulation in 3D hydrogels.

Rahul Sreedasyam¹, Bryce G Wilson², Patricia R Ferrandez¹

¹Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-2715, United States.

Acta Biomaterialia

|October 5, 2024

Summary

We developed a laser-based method to stimulate cellular responses in 3D hydrogels. This technique uses single cavitation bubbles to probe mechanotransduction in dermal fibroblasts, revealing differences in signaling within various hydrogel environments.

Keywords:

3D hydrogels Cavitation bubble Cellular mechanosignaling Cellular mechanotransduction Collagen Laser microbeam Polyvinyl alcohol

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Last Updated: May 2, 2026

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Published on: August 13, 2021

Area of Science:

Biomedical Engineering
Cell Biology
Biomaterials Science

Background:

Assessing cellular sensitivity to mechanical stimuli in 3D scaffolds is challenging.
Existing methods for non-invasive real-time assessment are limited.
Understanding mechanotransduction is crucial for tissue engineering and biomaterial development.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce a novel method for stimulating and measuring cellular mechanotransduction in 3D hydrogels.
To investigate the mechanosensitivity of dermal fibroblasts within different hydrogel environments.
To demonstrate the utility of laser-generated cavitation bubbles for non-invasive cellular stimulation.

Main Methods:

Utilized single laser-generated cavitation bubbles to deliver impulsive mechanical stimuli to dermal fibroblasts in 3D hydrogels.
Employed optical microscopy for concurrent imaging and observation of cellular responses.
Investigated cellular signaling (Ca2+ flux) in response to mechanical stimulation within amorphous (SLO-PVA) and fibrillar (collagen) hydrogels.

Main Results:

Cavitation bubble stimulation induced Ca2+ signaling in fibroblasts within both hydrogel types.
Cellular signaling extended further in collagen hydrogels compared to SLO-PVA hydrogels.
Fibroblasts in collagen hydrogels showed orientation-dependent mechanosensitivity, unlike those in SLO-PVA.

Conclusions:

Single laser-generated cavitation bubbles provide a precise, non-invasive method for mechanostimulation in 3D cell culture models.
The study highlights the influence of hydrogel architecture on fibroblast mechanotransduction.
This technique offers a promising tool for evaluating biomaterials and understanding cellular mechanosignaling.