Agrose matrix stiffness mediated neuroprotective effects against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HT22 spheroids

Addressing neurodegenerative diseases continues to pose significant challenges in neurology. However, the emergence of stem cell research and cell transplantation has brought new hope to this area. Consequently, developing effective cell transplantation methods has become a critical focus of research. In this study, we created HT22 spheroids using agarose hydrogel matrices with two different stiffness levels and subjected them to oxidative stress with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). We examined the effect of matrix stiffness on the antioxidant capacity of spheroids by analyzing cell viability, catalase (CAT) levels, and cell survival signaling molecules. Our findings revealed that spheroids cultured in a stiffer agarose hydrogel matrix demonstrated enhanced neuroprotective effects under oxidative stress conditions. These results highlight the importance of matrix stiffness in optimizing the antioxidant properties of spheroids. Future production processes should consider this parameter to enhance the therapeutic potential of spheroid-based cell transplantation.