Cell-mediated matrix stiffening accompanies capillary morphogenesis in ultra-soft amorphous hydrogels.

ABSTRACT: There is a critical need for biomaterials that support robust neovascularization for a wide-range of clinical applications. Here we report how cells alter tissue-level mechanical properties during capillary morphogenesis using a model of endothelial-stromal cell co-culture within poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) based hydrogels. After a week of culture, we observed substantial stiffening in hydrogels with very soft initial properties. Endothelial cells or stromal cells alone, however, failed to induce hydrogel stiffening. This stiffening tightly correlated with degree of vessel formation but not with hydrogel compaction or cellular proliferation. Despite a lack of fibrillar architecture within the PEG hydrogels, cell-generated contractile forces were essential for hydrogel stiffening. Upregulat

SUBMITTER: Juliar BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6930336 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature