Harnessing cell-encapsulated hydrogels to study astrocyte mechanoresponse in 4D.

ABSTRACT: In glaucoma, the optic nerve head (ONH) is exposed to increased biomechanical strain, impacting the resident astrocytes that maintain neural homeostasis. After injury, astrocytes exhibit morphologic and metabolic shifts; however, the specific impact of glaucoma-related biomechanical strains on astrocyte behavior remains poorly understood. To address this, we utilized our previously established 3D cell-encapsulated ECM hydrogel to elucidate ONH astrocyte transcriptomic and cellular responses to varying biomechanical strain levels over time. Murine ONH astrocyte-encapsulated hydrogels were subjected to 0, 3, or 10% cyclic strain for 4h and 24h. Using confocal reflectance microscopy, we observed that hydrogel porosity was adequate for nutrient supplementation, while bulk hydrogel stiffness an

SUBMITTER: Strat AN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12262324 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature