Generation of Orthogonal Gradients of the Matrix Stiffness and Chemotactic Cues in a Suspended Array of Hydrogel to Study hMSCs Migration.

ABSTRACT: Stem cell migration is a tightly regulated process in vivo, orchestrated by a collection of mechanical and chemotactic cues via concentration gradients. A variety of in vitro assays have been developed to facilitate cell migration studies; however, very few assays allow the investigation of both matrix stiffness and chemotactic cues on cell migration within a single device, especially in a three-dimensional (3D) environment. Here, we develop a microfluidic device that can produce 3D orthogonal gradients of matrix stiffness and chemotactic cues with varied steepness in a suspended array of hydrogel cylinders. The device's working principle is the formation of diffusion-driven concentration gradients within a suspended array of hydrogel cylinders between a source and a sink. Device fabricati

SUBMITTER: Xu Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12313305 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature