Long-term culture of HL-1 cardiomyocytes in modular poly(ethylene glycol) microsphere-based scaffolds crosslinked in the phase-separated state.

ABSTRACT: Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) microspheres were assembled around HL-1 cardiomyocytes to produce highly porous modular scaffolds. In this study we took advantage of the immiscibility of PEG and dextran to improve upon our previously described modular scaffold fabrication methods. Phase separating the PEG microspheres in dextran solutions caused them to rapidly deswell and crosslink together, eliminating the need for serum protein-based crosslinking. This also led to a dramatic increase in the stiffness of the scaffolds and greatly improved the handling characteristics. HL-1 cardiomyocytes were present during microsphere crosslinking in the cytocompatible dextran solution, exhibiting high cell viability following scaffold formation. Over the course of 2 weeks a 9-fold expansion in cell number

SUBMITTER: Smith AW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3226890 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature