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Plasticity of 3D Hydrogels Predicts Cell Biological Behavior
Andrea Malandrino1, Huijun Zhang2, Nico Schwarm3
1Biomaterials, Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering Group, Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Research Center for Biomedical Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona 08019, Spain.
Biomacromolecules
|November 8, 2024
Summary
Cell behavior improves in viscoelastic hydrogels due to reduced steric hindrance from weaker bonds. Precross-linking alginate dialdehyde-gelatin hydrogels enhances cell spreading and migration.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cells exhibit enhanced spreading, migration, and proliferation in 3D culture within viscoelastic and plastic hydrogels.
- This improved cellular behavior is attributed to reduced steric hindrance offered by matrices with weaker intermolecular bonds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between hydrogel viscoelasticity, intermolecular bond stability, and cell behavior in 3D cultures.
- To determine if modulating intermolecular bond strength, independent of matrix stiffness, influences cell migration and spreading.
Main Methods:
- Alginate dialdehyde-gelatin hydrogels were fabricated and characterized for stiffness, yield strength, plasticity, and puncture force using needle insertion.
- Hydrogels were precross-linked with calcium chloride (CaCl2) droplets to introduce controlled weak spots and tune plasticity.
- NIH/3T3 fibroblasts were encapsulated within precross-linked hydrogels to assess cell spreading and migration.
Main Results:
- Precross-linking increased hydrogel plasticity while decreasing puncture force and yield strength, without significantly altering matrix stiffness.
- NIH/3T3 fibroblasts demonstrated enhanced spreading and migration in precross-linked hydrogels compared to control hydrogels.
- A correlation was observed between decreased intermolecular bond stability and improved cell motility.
Conclusions:
- Intermolecular bond stability within the hydrogel matrix is a critical factor influencing cell behavior in 3D culture.
- Modulating hydrogel plasticity through controlled introduction of weak spots can enhance cell migration and spreading.
- These findings highlight the importance of matrix mechanics at the molecular level for understanding cell-biomaterial interactions.
