Engineered extracellular matrices with cleavable crosslinkers for cell expansion and easy cell recovery.

ABSTRACT: An unmet need for expansion of primary cells and progenitor cells in three dimensions (3-D) is a synthetic mimic of the extracellular matrix (ECM) with user-controllable composition that would permit rapid recovery of viable cells under mild, non-enzymatic conditions. Three block copolymers based on disulfide-containing polyethylene glycol diacrylate crosslinkers were synthesized, and were used to crosslink thiol-modified hyaluronan and gelatin macromonomers in the presence of cells. The triblock PEGSSDA contained a single disulfide-containing block, the pentablock PEG(SS)(2)DA contained two disulfide blocks, and the heptablock PEG(SS)(3)DA contained three disulfide blocks. For each hydrogel composition, four cell types were encapsulated in 3-D, and growth and proliferation were evaluated.

SUBMITTER: Zhang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2651085 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature