Toward Morphologically Relevant Extracellular Matrix in Vitro Models: 3D Fiber Reinforced Hydrogels.

ABSTRACT: The extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to play an important role in the health of cells and tissues. Not only are chemical signals transmitted via bonds and tightly controlled diffusion, but the structure of the ECM also provides important physical signaling for the cells attached to it. The structure is composed of a mesh of fibrous proteins, such as collagen, embedded in a hydrated gel matrix of glycosaminoglycans. To study cell behavior with respect to the combined morphology and mechanics of such matrices is not currently possible with the types of 3D cell culture matrices available. Most of the cell culture matrices are single-phase bio- or polymeric hydrogels. Therefore, here we developed a continuous hybrid manufacturing process to make fiber-reinforced composite hydrogels. A far f

SUBMITTER: Williams A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6066552 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature